Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Weekly Digest – Volume 144

144th PEP Weekly Digest:

Introducing the 144th edition of The PEP Weekly Digest, where we present to you the most recent updates and news on the global political stage.

Recent and upcoming elections influence the worldwide political landscape in eight nations, slated between Feb 22, 2026, and Mar 24, 2026. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé Appoints Mario Andrésol as Haiti’s New Defense Minister

One noteworthy event has occurred in Haiti: on Wednesday, March 4th, 2026, at the Villa d’Accueil, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé officially installed Mario Andrésol as Minister of Defense.

Before installing the new Minister, the Prime Minister commended the work and commitment of the outgoing Minister, Jean-Michel Moïse. He noted that, since the end of 2024, the latter had “laid the groundwork for an essential overhaul.” Under his leadership, the national defense policy began to “reassert itself” notably through the signing of strategic partnerships with friendly countries for the training of new recruits to the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H). “Mr. Minister, the Nation thanks you for your service.”

In installing Mario Andresol, the Prime Minister emphasized that this was not “a simple change of personnel” stressing that this appointment reflects the continuity of the State’s actions and the Government’s commitment to pursuing the development, professionalization, and modernization of the Haitian military. He expressed his confidence in the experience and expertise of the new Minister of Defense to successfully carry out this mission.

Antonio Jose Seguro Sworn in as Portugal’s New President After Runoff Victory

Shifting our focus to Portugal, Antonio Jose Seguro was sworn in as Portugal’s new president during a ceremony at the Assembly of the Republic, formally beginning his mandate after winning the country’s presidential runoff election.

Seguro, the center-left candidate backed by the Socialist Party, took the oath of office before lawmakers in Lisbon.

In his remarks, Seguro said that after “a cycle of three elections and four trips to the polls in just nine months,” Portugal now has “a golden opportunity” to pursue “lasting solutions” during what he described as a new three-year period without national elections.

Seguro won the presidential election by defeating Chega party leader Andre Ventura by a wide margin in the second round of voting held on Feb. 8.

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose Resigns, Returns to Kerala

In India, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose tendered his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu. In the Indian political system, the Governor of a state is appointed by the President and, therefore, must submit their resignation directly to the President.

“I hereby tender my resignation as the Governor of West Bengal. I am grateful to you, Hon’ble Rashtrapati Ji, Hon’ble Pradhan Mantri Shri Narendra Modi Ji, Hon’ble Grih Mantri Shri Amit Shah Ji and the national leadership for the kindness and guidance given to me during my tenure as the Governor of West Bengal, read Bose’s resignation letter dated March 5.

He’s shifting to Kerala, his home state, to work towards Viksit Bharat under the guidance of national leadership. He expressed gratitude for the love and affection he received during his tenure.

FinCEN Hits Canaccord Genuity with $80 Million Penalty for Largest-Ever BSA Violation

In the realm of regulatory affairs, the Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) assessed an $80,000,000 civil money penalty against Canaccord Genuity LLC (Canaccord) for willful violations of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), the primary U.S. anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism law that safeguards the financial system from illicit use.  This is the largest penalty ever imposed against a broker-dealer for violating the BSA.

“Today’s action should be a wake-up call to broker-dealers that willfully fail to comply with their obligations to safeguard the financial system from illicit actors,” said FinCEN Director Andrea Gacki. “Consistent with Treasury’s broader efforts to combat fraud and its harmful effects on our financial markets, FinCEN is committed to holding accountable financial institutions of all types—including institutions accessing our world-class capital markets—that willfully ignore their role in preventing and reporting illicit actors who seek to take advantage of hardworking Americans.”

Tunisian Court Sentences Ex-PM Youssef Chahed and Former Ministers to Prison for Corruption

Shifting our attention to Tunisia, a Tunisian court has handed prison sentences to former Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, businessman Marouan Mabrouk—the son-in-law of former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali—and several other former ministers on corruption charges.

Chahed, who served as prime minister between 2016 and 2020, was sentenced to six years in prison, along with former ministers including the foreign minister, finance minister, state property minister, human rights minister, and information and communications technology minister, the state-run TAP news agency reported, citing a judicial source. The court also ordered each defendant to pay a fine of 800 million dinars (about $276 million).

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