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
Mexican government prioritizes 191 communities after deadly floods
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Wednesday that the death toll from recent rains and floods across several central states has risen to 66, while the federal government has activated air bridges and prioritized assistance in 191 isolated communities.
“Unfortunately, 66 people have died, and 75 remain missing,” the president said during her morning press conference. She added that the official death toll will be updated later in a new report.
As of Tuesday, authorities had reported 64 fatalities. Sheinbaum also announced the creation of a public information center to centralize official data on the deceased, missing persons, damaged homes, and cut-off communities.
According to the president, the number of missing persons has decreased thanks to coordination with state authorities.
“Through calls to phone line 079, 103 people who had been reported missing have now been located,” she explained.
Priority Municipalities
The president noted that the federal government has classified 191 communities as ‘priority’, a designation based mainly on the percentage of homes affected.
International
New road and bridge explosions raise alarm amid indigenous protests in Ecuador
Ecuadorian authorities are investigating two explosions that occurred early Wednesday, one on a road in the southern part of the country and another under a bridge in Guayas province. These incidents follow the car bomb explosion in the coastal city of Guayaquil, also in Guayas, which occurred the day before and left one person dead and 30 injured.
Press reports indicate that one person was injured and several vehicles were damaged in the explosion on the Cuenca-Girón-Pasaje road in the south.
“Besides yesterday’s explosion in Guayaquil, we have received reports of explosives placed on bridges along the Guayaquil-Machala and Machala-Cuenca routes to disrupt traffic,” said Roberto Luque, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT).
On his X social media account, Luque reported that authorities have been deployed to the sites to assess the damage and determine the current condition of the structures.
“What they haven’t achieved with their call for a strike, some are trying to achieve through terrorism,” he stated, referring to the 24 days of protests organized by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities (Conaie) against rising diesel prices and other demands.
The protests, called at a national level, have Imbabura province as their epicenter. Roadblocks have also been reported in the northern part of Pichincha province, whose capital is Quito, while activities in the rest of the country continue normally.
International
Armed forces target illegal mines in Northern Ecuador with bombing raids
Ecuador’s Armed Forces carried out an operation on Monday — including airstrikes — against illegal mining in the town of Buenos Aires, in the country’s north, Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo reported.
The mountainous, gold-rich area has been a hotspot for illegal mining since 2017, located in the Andean province of Imbabura.
In 2019, former president Lenín Moreno deployed around 2,400 soldiers to the region in an attempt to curb the illegal activity. “The operation began with mortar fire, followed by gunfire and bombing runs by Supertucano aircraft,” Loffredo said in a video released by the Defense Ministry.
He added that the operation would continue on Tuesday with patrols across the area to locate possible members of “irregular armed groups that may have crossed from the Colombian border.”
The Armed Forces stated on X that the intervention focused on the “complete elimination of multiple illegal mining tunnels” in the areas known as Mina Nueva and Mina Vieja.
The operation coincided with the deployment of a military and police convoy into Imbabura, which has been the epicenter of protests against President Daniel Noboa since September 22, following his decision to scrap the diesel subsidy.
Mexican government prioritizes 191 communities after deadly floods
New road and bridge explosions raise alarm amid indigenous protests in Ecuador
Armed forces target illegal mines in Northern Ecuador with bombing raids
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
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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