Vol. 73/No. 35      September 14, 2009

The Barack Obama administration has fined eight companies and four U.S. citizens for violating the Cuba embargo so far this year. During the same period last year 40 companies and individuals were fined. However, the Bank Group fine is equal to more than three times the total Cuba-related fines during the first eight months of 2008.

The Office of Foreign Asset Control, which imposed the fine, said it could have demanded more but decided on a lower amount due to the bank’s “substantial cooperation” and agreement to take measures to prevent future violations. The bank was charged with conducting 15 financial transactions worth $78 million with Cuba, and 16 transactions worth $28 million with Sudan.

Washington began the embargo of Cuba in October 1960 and then widened it in February 1962. The ban on trade, including medicine, food, and most travel by U.S. citizens, was in retaliation for the 1959 Cuban Revolution that overthrew the U.S.-backed dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista and ended U.S. domination of the island.

In 1999 restrictions were eased to allow the Cuban government to import some agricultural products from the United States.

New Mexico governor William Richardson traveled to Cuba the last week in August to promote exports of New Mexico beef, corn, wheat, potatoes, and apples. While visiting Ernest Hemingway’s former home outside Havana, Richardson told the Associated Press, “I’m for enhanced tourism travel for Americans.”

Richardson was tapped by Obama to be U.S. secretary of commerce, but withdrew his nomination under pressure of a federal investigation regarding his political financial contributors. Richardson said that he was not representing the Obama administration during his Cuba trip but would “submit my impressions” to the White House on his return to the United States.

Cuba’s Granma daily newspaper reported news of the latest fine under the headline, “Still the exact same blockade.”
 
 
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