U.S. President Joe Biden removed Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism on Tuesday, less than a week before Donald Trump takes office again. Trump had placed the island on the list during his first term, a designation that carries severe sanctions.
- U.S. President Joe Biden removed Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism on Tuesday, less than a week before Donald Trump takes office again. Trump had placed the island on the list during his first term, a designation that carries severe sanctions.
- Cuba on the List Since 1982
- What Does This Decision Mean?
- A Brief History:
- International Impact:
- What Can We Expect in the Future?
- Cuba Announces Release of 553 Prisoners Following Vatican Mediation
Biden made this decision to facilitate the upcoming release of several Cuban prisoners as part of a process mediated by the Vatican, senior U.S. administration officials told the press.
The outgoing president also suspended the ability of U.S. citizens to sue in U.S. courts over the expropriation of their properties in Cuba and lifted some financial sanctions.
As a result of these actions, the White House anticipated that “in relatively little time,” a “significant” number of prisoners in Cuba will be released, including individuals who participated in the July 11, 2021, protests.
Sources within the Biden administration explained that in recent years, they have received requests from several partners—including the European Union (EU), Spain, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Canada—to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Cuba on the List Since 1982
Cuba’s inclusion on the list in January 2021 was one of the final decisions made by Republican Donald Trump before leaving office at the end of his first term.
The U.S. justified the measure at the time by citing the presence on the island of members of the Colombian guerrilla group National Liberation Army (ELN), who traveled to Havana to begin peace negotiations with the Colombian government.
This designation prohibits arms sales to the country, imposes stricter controls on its exports, restricts foreign aid, tightens visa requirements, and imposes various economic sanctions.
Cuba had been on the list since 1982 but was removed in 2015, during the rapprochement period initiated by then-U.S. President Barack Obama (2009–2017) and later halted by Trump, who during his term intensified sanctions against Havana and reversed the “thaw.”
Biden’s outgoing administration has made some gestures toward the island, such as removing the cap on remittances to Cuba, but had until now kept Cuba on the list.
Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel repeatedly demanded that Washington remove his country from the list, which he considers unjustified and has serious economic implications for the island.
Biden made this announcement just days before Trump’s new administration takes office on January 20. Trump has nominated Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American senator and advocate of a hardline stance against Havana, as secretary of state.
With Cuba’s removal from the list, the only countries remaining designated by the U.S. State Department as state sponsors of terrorism are North Korea, Iran, and Syria.
What Does This Decision Mean?
- Normalization of relations: This measure represents another step toward normalizing diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States, a process that began during the Obama administration.
- Sanctions relief: Removing Cuba from this list is typically accompanied by the easing of economic sanctions, which could boost foreign investment and economic growth on the island.
- Increased cooperation: This decision is expected to facilitate cooperation in various areas, such as trade, counter-narcotics efforts, and migration.
A Brief History:
The relationship between Cuba and the United States has historically been complex, marked by periods of tension and rapprochement. Cuba’s inclusion on the list of state sponsors of terrorism in 1982 was a low point in these relations. However, in 2015, under President Barack Obama, Cuba was removed from the list. Unfortunately, this decision was reversed by the Trump administration in 2021.
International Impact:
This U.S. decision has implications beyond bilateral relations. Many Latin American countries and other nations have expressed support for normalizing relations between Cuba and the United States.
What Can We Expect in the Future?
While this decision is a positive step, many challenges remain in U.S.-Cuba relations. However, this measure opens the door to new opportunities for cooperation and mutual understanding.
Cuba Announces Release of 553 Prisoners Following Vatican Mediation
The Cuban government announced on Tuesday the release of 553 people “sanctioned for various crimes,” following mediation by the Vatican with the island’s executive branch.
According to a statement from the Caribbean country’s Foreign Ministry, leader Miguel Díaz-Canel informed Pope Francis of the decision “in the first days of January” after “a careful analysis based on the different modalities contemplated by the law.”
