LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

A daily publication Of the dialogue

June 20, 2024

What Do Looser U.S. Restrictions Mean for Cubans?

The U.S. Treasury said last month that its move to loosen some restrictions involving Cuba was an effort to support small businesses on the island. A street in Havana is pictured. // File Photo: Pedro Szekely via Creative Commons.

Q

A

Aymee Valdivia, partner at Holland & Knight: “The authorization for U.S. banks to open and maintain bank accounts for the Cuban private sector would have the greatest impact, if implemented. Participation of the banks is crucial for the success of this measure. Before participating, banks may seek clarity from the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regarding the level of diligence required to meet compliance requirements, onboard Cuban clients and process transactions. The reauthorization for ‘U-Turn’ transactions permits U.S. banks and their foreign subsidiaries to serve as intermediary banks, facilitating fund transfers related to Cuba without involvement from U.S. persons or property. While the reintroduction of this rule could facilitate Cuba-related transactions through the U.S. financial system, it has practical challenges…”

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The Inter-American Dialogue publishes the Latin America Advisor every business day for a distinguished membership of informed corporate leaders, scholars, and government officials invested in Latin America’s development and future. The Advisor‘s highly regarded Q&A section covers questions submitted by subscribers themselves. Commentators regularly include heads of state, business leaders, diplomats, economists, analysts, and thought leaders from around the world. Many of the world’s largest and fastest-growing companies subscribe to the Advisor. To subscribe, click here. For terms and conditions, click here. For more information, contact Gene Kuleta, editor of the Advisor, at gkuleta@thedialogue.org.

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Merike Blofield
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Devry Boughner Vorwerk
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Joyce Chang
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US Education Finance Group

Nicolas Mariscal
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Grupo Marhnos

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AMLA Consulting

Ernesto Revilla
Head of Latin American Economics, Citi

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