From the Latin for "holy", they're economic measures taken against a nation for violating international law
It was precisely outrages 
against human dignity which led the United Nations Organization to... [DOC] [TLE] International Law, Regional Developments: Latin America [PAR] 1 The main factors that play a decisive role in characterizing Latin American 
States .... trend of Latin American nations has been linked to the re-examination 
of the .... of acts that may impair any American republic, measures should be 
taken 'in ... 'to employ its full resources, military or economic, against those 
members of the... [DOC] [TLE] Natural Resources, Conflict, and Conflict Resolution - United States ... [PAR] Sep 14, 2007 ... to the shape of international peace and security,