New York, 13 September 2016.During the period from April 2015 to April 2016, some progress has been achieved in the bilateral relations between the United States and Cuba; particularly significant are the reestablishment of diplomatic relations and the reopening of embassies, preceded by the fair exclusion of Cuba from the spurious list of States sponsoring terrorism, in which it never should have been included.
However, contrary to what could be believed, after 17 December numerous damages caused by the blockade to Cuban entities and third parties show that this policy against Cuba not only has remained in force, but it has intensified.
On 20 October 2015, French bank Crédit Agricole agreed to pay a joint fine of $1,116,893,585, whose installments went to the Treasury Department; to the Federal Reserve; to the New York State Department of Financial Services; to the Manhattan District Attorney´s Office and to the Columbia District Attorney´s Office, for violating regulations against Cuba and other countries. According to OFAC, from January 2004 to June 2008, Crédit Agricole, including its subsidiaries and predecessors, processed 173 electronic transfers connected to properties of interest for the Cuban government or its nationals, to or through financial institutions in the United States.
On 12 February 2016, it became known that the branch of the British Standard Chartered Bank in Uganda had informed Cuban doctors working at Mbarara University that they would have up to Monday, February 15 to withdraw their money due to the fact that as Cubans, they would not be able to continue holding accounts in this bank.
On 22 February 2016, OFAC levied a fine of $614,250 to French Company CGG Services S.A. for violations of the blockade on Cuba. According to OFAC, during the period 2010-2011, CGG Services S.A. and several of its subsidiaries provided services, spare parts and equipment originating in the US for oil and gas exploration to ships operating in Cuban territorial waters.
On 3 May 2016, it became known that funds collected by the Asociación de Cubanos in the United Kingdom had been withheld by the bank of U.S. Company Eventbrite. The company had sold tickets for a classical music event organized by the Association, whose funds would cover the purchase and donation of a piano for Amadeo Roldán Conservatory in Cuba.
In May 2016, the Royal Bank of Canada refused to transfer payment in Canadian dollars corresponding to Cuba´s membership fee to the Association of Caribbean States.
Similarly, between May and June 2016, Santander bank of Spain refused to provide the service of payment for consular fees via magnetic cards using “point-of-sale (POS) terminal” devices to the General Consulates of Cuba in the cities of Barcelona, Santiago de Compostela and Seville. The Elavon Company, belonging to US Bank and provider of these devices, informed that this was because of Cuba being included in the OFAC list. (Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations)