Cuba Closing Down Almost All Consular Services in the US

Having problems finding a bank that will take its business

MIAMI (Reuters) - Cuba is shutting down nearly all of its consular services in the United States "until further notice" after it said it was unable to find a bank willing to handle its business, the government announced on Tuesday, blaming the situation on the longstanding U.S. economic embargo.

The decision threatens to disrupt a recent surge in travel between the United States and Cuba on the eve of the upcoming busy holiday season.

The Cuban Interests Section, Havana's diplomatic mission in Washington, said in a news release that it was informed in July by its bank, M&T Bank, that it would no longer be able to provide banking services to foreign missions.