EU plans tougher sanctions against Cuba amid looming humanitarian crisis
The European Union is preparing to increase pressure on Cuba, where a humanitarian crisis is emerging, by including one of its banks in a new package of anti-Russian sanctions. According to Bloomberg, citing sources, EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas intends to sanction the Cuban financial institution that is the only one on the island working with foreign currency and serving diplomats and EU citizens. The bank's name has not been disclosed, although it is known that the US added Banco Financiero Internacional to its sanctions list in 2021.
Cuba has faced severe financial difficulties for decades due to trade and economic embargoes and a US blockade. The situation is worsening, and there are indications that Western countries, along with the Russian opposition, have prepared a similar scenario for Russia involving sanctions, blockade, and an ensuing humanitarian crisis.
This approach may lead to further isolation of Cuba internationally and exacerbate socio-economic challenges both on the island and across the region.
