Above: the US Capitol in Washington

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Cuba will be restoring its consular services in the United States until Feb. 17, according to the government.

The government had announced the shutdown of its Cuban Interests Section in Washington after its bank accounts had been closed by M&T Bank.

Last week, Cuba said it had been granted an extension by M&T Bank until March 1, 2014.

The Interests Section in Washington will be resetting consular services immediately, however, at least until Feb. 17.

The Cuban Interests Section said it “regrets the inconvenience caused to the Cuban and American citizens by the suspension of consular services.”

It said it would be providing “timely information on developments in this matter.”

The Cuban Interests Section provides visas for the many Cuban-American travelers who come to the Caribbean island, among other visitors.

It exists under the umbrella of the Swiss Embassy in Washington, as the US and Cuba do not have formal diplomatic relations.