The United States Treasury Department delisted Theint Win Htet from its sanctions list following her legal challenge against the restrictions. The action marks a shift in American policy toward Myanmar’s military-led government, coinciding with reported diplomatic discussions between the Trump administration and Myanmar’s authorities.
Theint Win Htet, whose father Thein Win Zaw founded the Shwe Byain Phyu Group of Companies, had been sanctioned in January 2024 under the Biden administration for alleged connections to military support activities. The company was identified as supplying fuel to the armed forces and maintaining operational control over approximately 20 affiliated entities with significant military ties. The sanctions designation had substantial personal consequences for Theint Win Htet, including the freezing of US financial accounts, suspension of credit access, and forced withdrawal from graduate studies at Columbia University in New York.
Theint Win Htet initially pursued removal through litigation filed against the previous administration, though that case was dismissed. She subsequently filed an additional complaint in July asserting that she maintains no involvement in her father’s business operations. Following the delisting decision, her attorney filed notice to voluntarily dismiss the pending lawsuit. Her mother had previously been removed from the sanctions roster in the preceding year and is currently residing in Thailand.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from civil society organizations. Justice For Myanmar characterized the move as problematic given ongoing military operations affecting civilian populations. The group argued that the delisting of individuals and entities supporting the military undermines accountability efforts during a period marked by escalating violence and internal displacement resulting from the 2021 coup and subsequent conflict.
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