Cuban medical mission accounts frozen in Italy

The operational bank accounts of the Cuban medical mission in Calabria, Italy, have been frozen, sparking condemnation from the National Association of Friendship between Italy and Cuba. The accounts held by Comercializadora de Servicios Médicos Cubanos (CSMC) at BPER Banca were reportedly blocked following the United States' decision on July 23 to include CSMC on its sanctions list.

Critics argue the freeze constitutes an illegal extension of U.S. extraterritorial sanctions that violates Italian sovereignty and threatens local public health. The medical mission provides essential services in regions facing professional shortages, such as Calabria. The National Association of Friendship between Italy and Cuba described the move as “financial aggression” and an act of interference that hinders scientific and cultural exchange.

While the exact reason for the bank's action has not been officially clarified, observers note that BPER Banca holds assets linked to the U.S. and includes major American financial institutions like JPMorgan Chase and BlackRock among its shareholders. The association has called on Italian and European institutions to defend cooperation agreements and reject the application of extraterritorial sanctions.