Cuba shuts down US travel visas

[babylonsister]

February 15, 2014, 01:23 pm
Cuba shuts down US travel visas

By Pete Kasperowicz


The government of Cuba announced late Friday that it will no longer process visas for U.S. travel to Cuba.

Cuba said travel will end until a new U.S. bank can be found to process visa fees that are collected and routed to Cuba.

Cuba's decision means only humanitarian travel will be permitted to the island nation from the United States, and that the "people-to-people" visas and other educational travel will be shut off. Cuba said it would cut off "family visits, academic, cultural, educational, scientific, sports" and other exchanges.

The decision is a blow to the goals of the Obama administration, which sought to expand travel opportunities to the island. It will also have an immediate impact on Cuba's access to hard currency, on which many of its citizens rely.

M&T Bank of Buffalo, New York, had long handled these transactions, but decided last year to terminate all of its embassy accounts. M&T had said it would continue processing visa deposits for Cuba until next Monday.

Last summer, M&T's decision set off a mad scramble at the State Department to find a new bank. But while State had reached out to dozens of banks — including some in Miami — no bank has yet stepped up to handle the processing duties.

As a result, Cuba pulled the plug on travel Friday night.

more...

http://thehill.com/blogs/global-affairs/americas/198504-cuba-shuts-down-us-travel-visas

[okaawhatever]

1. The state dept said there is a way around this and Cuba won't take it. Hmmm.....what is the REAL

issue here.

From the article:

State responded today by saying it is disappointed in Cuba's decision, "given that we had helped the Mission identify a workable solution to its consular fee-processing needs with ample time for its implementation."

"That the Cuban Interests Section has not effectively pursued this option will result in hardship to Cuban and U.S. citizen travelers alike," said Spokesman Noel Clay.

[Mika]

2. The State Dept put Cuba on the terror list, now they want to "help"? Putrid treatment by the USA.

Cuba suspends consular services in U.S.

The Cuban government said Tuesday it has suspended all consular services it provides in the United States because it cannot find a U.S. bank willing to take its business.
The move could severely impact Cuban-Americans' ability to visit family on the island.
The U.S. State Department said Wednesday it will try to assist Cuba's bid for a solution.
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M&T Bank, based in Buffalo, New York, did not immediately respond to an inquiry from CNN regarding the matter. The State Department said it was a "business decision."

More --> http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/26/world/americas/cuba-us-consular-services/index.html

A business decision? Hmmm...
Background ...

M&T Bank Halts Banking With Cuba

The potential for huge fines from the federal government has reportedly prompted Buffalo-based M&T Bank, the 30th largest bank in America, to close its bank account with the consulate of Cuba in Washington, DC.

An Obama administration spokesman said it has tried to convince M&T to keep the account open.

Cuba, however, is on the U. S. list of nations said to be engaged in terrorist activities and banking is regulated for such nations under the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U. S. Department of the Treasury.

More --> http://www.niagarafallsreporter.com/Stories/2013/Dec03/mtba.html