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US Treasury subpoenas influencer Hasan Piker, Medea Benjamin in Cuba sanctions probe

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The U.S. Treasury Department has subpoenaed influencer Hasan Piker and CodePink cofounder Medea Benjamin as part of an investigation into potential violations of U.S. sanctions during a trip to Cuba.
  • The activists are suspected of bringing supplies to Cuba and may have violated sanctions laws by financing, coordinating, or delivering goods, and potentially interacting with Cuban government entities.
  • The investigation is part of a broader U.S. effort to combat foreign influence operations and includes other U.S. citizens who traveled with the group, some with ties to controversial international incidents.

The U.S. Treasury Department has issued subpoenas to left-wing influencer Hasan Piker and Code Pink cofounder Medea Benjamin as part of an investigation into alleged violations of U.S. sanctions during a recent trip to Cuba. The probe, reported by Fox News, centers on whether a group of activists, including Piker and Benjamin, broke U.S. sanctions laws by bringing supplies to the Communist Party of Cuba.

Benjamin publicly condemned the subpoena on X, questioning the administration's actions. "Taking medical supplies to pediatric hospitals in Cuba is now a crime? Saving the lives of babies is a crime?" she posted, calling the administration "grotesque." Piker and Benjamin were part of the "Nuestra América Convoy," or "Our America Convoy," which included around 40 U.S. nationals suspected of delivering goods to Cuba.

According to Fox News, the activists may have violated sanctions by financing, coordinating, or delivering goods, and potentially engaging with Cuban government personnel. Subpoenas, termed Requests for Information (RFI) by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, aim to gather communications, financial, and logistical details about the trip. Legal experts suggest these subpoenas could determine if the case proceeds as a criminal matter under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act or remains a civil enforcement issue.

The investigation is reportedly part of a wider U.S. strategy to counter foreign influence operations, particularly those linked to political violence or terrorism. The probe also includes Brazilian activist Thiago Avila and Isra Hirsi, daughter of U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, with sources suggesting investigators are examining the possibility that Omar funded her daughter's travel. U.S. authorities are increasingly concerned about foreign actors attempting to disrupt domestic political discourse or promote ideologies deemed harmful to national security.

Taking medical supplies to pediatric hospitals in Cuba is now a crime? Saving the lives of babies is a crime? This administration is beyond grotesque.

· Medea BenjaminMedea Benjamin condemned the subpoena on X/Twitter, questioning the U.S. Treasury's actions.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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