International
Cuba describes the new US measures for entrepreneurs on the island as “limited”
Cuba described as a “limited measure” the permission granted by Washington for island entrepreneurs to open American bank accounts through the internet to carry out financial transactions from the island.
For the Cuban Government, the new provisions of President Joe Biden’s Administration “exclude most of the population,” in addition to “do not touch the body of the blockade (U.S. economic embargo on the island) nor modify the extreme measures.” All of these implemented during the presidency of Donald Trump (2017-2021).
“In case it means a real opening and not an electoral announcement, the Government of Cuba is determined not to hinder its implementation,” Johana Tablada, deputy director general of the United States of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minrex) of Cuba, said at a press conference.
The U.S. Treasury Department explained in a statement that it authorizes Cuban businessmen to “remotely open, maintain and use U.S. bank accounts through an online payment platform to make authorized transactions” either from the United States, Cuba or any other country in the world.
Until now, islanders who visited the United States could open bank accounts in the North American country but they could not use them once they returned to Cuba.
According to American sources, those companies with links to Cuban government officials and members of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC, the only legal one) sanctioned by the United States will not benefit from this measure.
American sources explained to the press that the rest of the sanctions on the island are still in force, such as the presence of Cuba on the list of states that promote terrorism.
In that sense, Tablada stressed that “it will be very difficult” to apply the measures for the permanence of Havana on the list.
“It’s going to be very difficult for a Cuban to find a bank (…) that wants to open an account,” he stressed.
In addition to facilitating access to the US banking system, Joe Biden’s Administration updated the internet services it allows in Cuba. These include social media platforms, videoconferences, games and maps.
He also authorized the export of Cuban-born software from the United States to other countries.
It also lifted the blockade on transfers of funds that originate and end outside the United States. This is in order to facilitate the sending of remittances to Cuba.
International
El Chapo’s son Joaquín Guzmán López pleads guilty to U.S. drug trafficking charges
Joaquín Guzmán López, one of the sons of notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, pleaded guilty on Monday to drug trafficking charges in a U.S. court, months after his brother Ovidio reached a similar plea agreement, according to local media reports.
The defendant appeared before a federal court in Chicago early Monday afternoon and changed his previous plea in the case, the Chicago Tribune reported. U.S. authorities accuse him of forming, together with his three brothers, the cartel faction known as “Los Chapitos.”
The group is believed to have continued the operations of El Chapo, who has been serving a life sentence in the United States since 2019.
Guzmán López, 39, was arrested after landing in Texas in a small aircraft alongside cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada.
International
Venezuela authorizes return flights as U.S. continues deportations amid rising tensions
The arrival of U.S. aircraft carrying undocumented Venezuelan migrants continued regularly despite rising tensions between Washington and Caracas over President Donald Trump’s military deployment in the Caribbean.
Trump maintains that the deployment is part of an anti-narcotics operation, while Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro insists the true objective is to remove him from power and seize the nation’s oil resources.
Venezuela’s aviation authority has “received a request from the United States government to resume repatriation flights for Venezuelan migrants from that country to Venezuela,” the Ministry of Transportation said in a statement .
“Under the instructions of President Nicolás Maduro, authorization has been granted for these aircraft to enter our airspace,” it added.
Caracas will permit two Eastern Airlines flights to land on Wednesday and Friday.
Migration remains one of the Trump administration’s flagship issues. On Monday, the U.S. president held a meeting with his National Security Council to discuss the situation in Venezuela, a day after confirming he had spoken with Maduro by phone, without offering further details.
According to the Venezuelan government, roughly 75 deportation flights have been carried out this year, returning at least 13,956 Venezuelans from the United States.
International
20,000 rounds stolen from german army after driver leaves cargo unattended
The German army confirmed the theft of a shipment of ammunition that occurred a week ago while it was being transported by a civilian delivery driver, a military spokesperson told AFP, confirming earlier media reports.
According to Der Spiegel and the regional broadcaster MDR, around 20,000 rounds of ammunition were stolen from an unguarded parking lot near Magdeburg, in eastern Germany, while the driver was asleep in a nearby hotel. No information has been released regarding the identity of the suspects, and the military declined to specify the exact type or amount of ammunition taken.
Authorities have also not indicated how the perpetrators knew the cargo would be left unattended.
“The theft was discovered upon delivery at the barracks,” the German army spokesperson said.
A police spokeswoman confirmed to AFP that an investigation has been opened but refused to provide further details “for tactical reasons.”
Sources close to the German military, cited by Der Spiegel, believe it is unlikely the theft was a coincidence. They suspect the thieves waited for the driver to stop for the night before striking.
Der Spiegel also reported that the Defense Ministry normally requires two drivers for this type of transport to ensure the cargo is constantly monitored. However, in this case only one driver was assigned, meaning the civilian transport company failed to comply with the security protocols.
El Chapo’s son Joaquín Guzmán López pleads guilty to U.S. drug trafficking charges
Venezuela authorizes return flights as U.S. continues deportations amid rising tensions
20,000 rounds stolen from german army after driver leaves cargo unattended
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
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