The organization, which brings together 40 associations from various sectors of society, recalled in a statement that in 1996 the European Union adopted Regulation 2271/96, a Blockade Statute to prevent its member states from applying extraterritorial laws.

“The initiative nullifies the effect in the EU of any foreign judicial ruling and prohibits its individuals and companies from complying with its requirements, a measure intended to counter the Helms-Burton Act passed that same year by the US Congress to intensify the blockade against Cuba and its extraterritorial reach. Therefore, entities that comply with Washington’s sanctions in our country are trampling on the aforementioned law,” the Coordinator emphasized.

The statement was signed by Wim Leysens, the secretary of the solidarity organization, and illustrates with concrete examples the extent of banks’ subordination to the blockade against Cuba. “It is incredible that ING bank rejected the payment of 16 euros from one Belgian account to another last year simply because it contained Cuba’s name,” justifying its decision with procedures to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing, acknowledging that it is acting in line with the US blockade.

According to the Belgian Coordination for the Lifting of the Blockade against Cuba, banks that adhere to extraterritorial expansion are contributing to a policy that hinders the arrival of medical equipment, food, and essential goods to Cuba.

The organization stated that each year it prepares a dossier on the “bad practices” of these banks and reiterated its demand that the Belgian authorities react. “The Belgian government and the EU must adopt urgent measures to ensure that these entities stop affecting humanitarian aid to Cuba,” it stated.

Continuing similar actions from previous years, the Coordination called for a protest in front of the ING bank headquarters.

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