MIAMI: Cuba is shutting down nearly all of its consular services in the United States “until further notice” after it said it was unable to find a bank willing to handle its business, the government announced yesterday, blaming the situation on the US economic embargo.
The decision threatens to disrupt a recent surge in travel between the United States and Cuba on the eve of the upcoming busy holiday season.
The Cuban Interests Section, Havana’s diplomatic mission in Washington, said in a news release that it was informed in July by M&T Bank, which had been providing banking services to Cuba, that it would no longer be able to provide banking services to foreign missions.
“Due to the restrictions still in force, derived from the US policy of economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba, and despite the numerous efforts made with the Department of State and several banks, it has been impossible for the Cuban Interests Section to find a US or international bank with branches in the US to operate the bank accounts of the Cuban diplomatic missions,” the Cuban Interests Section in Washington said in yesterday’s news release.
It added that the loss of banking services would “seriously affect the normal performance” of the Cuban Interests Section in Washington, as well as its mission to the United Nations.
As a result, consular services would immediately be interrupted “until further notice.”
“Consular services will only be provided for humanitarian cases and other of specific nature,” it said.
Cuba said it “particularly regrets the effects this may have on Cuban and US citizens ... with the negative impact on family visits, academic, cultural, educational, scientific, sports and other kind of exchange between Cuba and the United States.”
REUTERS
