The United States announced on Tuesday that it is expanding the current visa restrictions imposed on those benefiting from the “labor exploitation” of Cuban workers abroad, including those involved in medical missions.

The State Department stated in a communiqué that this expanded policy applies to current or former government employees and other individuals, such as foreign government officials, believed to be responsible for or involved in the “exploitation” of labor, particularly in Cuba’s medical missions abroad.

The U.S. government has also targeted the immediate family members of these individuals.

The statement detailed that the State Department has already taken steps to restrict visas for several individuals, including some Venezuelans, under this expanded policy.

The health condition of Pope Francis, who is suffering from double pneumonia, “remains critical but stable,” the Vatican announced on Tuesday evening, marking the 12th day of his hospitalization. It was emphasized that the 88-year-old pontiff had been working during the day.

“The clinical condition of the Holy Father remains critical but stable,” stated the Holy See in a brief communiqué, adding that “the prognosis remains reserved.”

Pope Francis’ health continues to be a global concern, but the Vatican clarified that the Jesuit remains active: “In the morning, after receiving the Eucharist, he resumed his work.” Additionally, he underwent a “scheduled CT scan for the radiological monitoring of bilateral pneumonia,” a potentially life-threatening infection of the lung tissue.

Earlier, the Vatican had announced that the Pope had received a visit from the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, the second and third in command of the Holy See, respectively.

During this visit, his first since being admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, the Pope authorized the canonization of two laypersons from Venezuela and Italy, and called for a consistory — an assembly of cardinals — although he did not specify the date.

Advertisement

20241211_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

20240813_lechematerna_728x91

20240701_vacunacion_728x90

20231124_etesal_728x90_1

domfuturo_netview-728x90

20240604_dom_728x90

20230816_dgs_728x90

20230601_agenda_primera_infancia_728X90

CEL

Pope Francis, who remains hospitalized in critical condition due to pneumonia affecting both lungs, had a good night and is “resting,” the Vatican reported on Monday morning as concerns over the 88-year-old pontiff continue to grow.

“The night went well; the pope slept and is resting,” stated a Vatican communiqué on the 11th day of his hospitalization, the longest since his election in 2013. “The complexity of his clinical condition and the time required for pharmaceutical treatments to take effect necessitate caution regarding his prognosis,” the report added.

While his anemia has improved and his thrombocytopenia—a decrease in blood platelet count—has remained stable thanks to blood transfusions received on Saturday, “some blood tests indicate a mild initial kidney insufficiency, which is currently under control,” according to his medical team.