Biden Plans to Take Cuba Off Terrorism List
US President Joe Biden is taking steps to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism in order to facilitate negotiations for the release of prisoners. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
In the final days of his first term, Donald Trump placed Cuba on the blacklist as a state sponsor of terrorism, a decision that could potentially be reversed.
President Joe Biden has informed Congress of his plan to remove Cuba from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. This move is aimed at facilitating the release of “political prisoners” through a deal negotiated with the Catholic Church, as announced by the White House.
According to senior US officials speaking to the Associated Press, “many dozens” of detainees deemed “unjustly” held by Washington could be released by the end of Biden’s term on January 20. In return, the US intends to ease some economic pressures on Havana, including reversing certain elements of a 2017 memorandum that had toughened the US approach toward Cuba.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed, “In taking these steps to bolster the ongoing dialogue between the government of Cuba and the Catholic Church, President Biden is also honoring the wisdom and counsel that has been provided to him by many world leaders.”
The Cuban government has characterized the US decision as a “step in the right direction,” but emphasized that most of the existing economic blockade and sanctions are still in effect, continuing to obstruct the island's development. Havana pointed out that ongoing restrictions on fuel imports, trade bans, and financial penalties significantly affect its citizens.
Cuba also criticized the timing of the announcement, noting its proximity to the end of Biden’s presidency and cautioning that President-elect Donald Trump could reverse the measures. The Cuban Foreign Ministry remarked, “This is a rectification introduced on the verge of a change of government… when it should have been materialized years ago.”
Trump had reinstated Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism in January 2021, citing the country’s support for Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and its provision of refuge for US fugitives. Although Biden had supported Cuba's removal from the list during President Barack Obama’s administration, he has yet to overturn Trump’s policy and has even imposed additional sanctions during his tenure.
The President-elect's transition team has not confirmed whether he will reverse the decision. Several Republican lawmakers have criticized Biden's action, with Senator Ted Cruz calling it “unacceptable on its merits” and asserting his commitment to work with Trump to “immediately reverse” it. Representative Carlos Gimenez also condemned the move, labeling Biden a “pathetic coward.”
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
President Joe Biden has informed Congress of his plan to remove Cuba from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. This move is aimed at facilitating the release of “political prisoners” through a deal negotiated with the Catholic Church, as announced by the White House.
According to senior US officials speaking to the Associated Press, “many dozens” of detainees deemed “unjustly” held by Washington could be released by the end of Biden’s term on January 20. In return, the US intends to ease some economic pressures on Havana, including reversing certain elements of a 2017 memorandum that had toughened the US approach toward Cuba.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed, “In taking these steps to bolster the ongoing dialogue between the government of Cuba and the Catholic Church, President Biden is also honoring the wisdom and counsel that has been provided to him by many world leaders.”
The Cuban government has characterized the US decision as a “step in the right direction,” but emphasized that most of the existing economic blockade and sanctions are still in effect, continuing to obstruct the island's development. Havana pointed out that ongoing restrictions on fuel imports, trade bans, and financial penalties significantly affect its citizens.
Cuba also criticized the timing of the announcement, noting its proximity to the end of Biden’s presidency and cautioning that President-elect Donald Trump could reverse the measures. The Cuban Foreign Ministry remarked, “This is a rectification introduced on the verge of a change of government… when it should have been materialized years ago.”
Trump had reinstated Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism in January 2021, citing the country’s support for Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and its provision of refuge for US fugitives. Although Biden had supported Cuba's removal from the list during President Barack Obama’s administration, he has yet to overturn Trump’s policy and has even imposed additional sanctions during his tenure.
The President-elect's transition team has not confirmed whether he will reverse the decision. Several Republican lawmakers have criticized Biden's action, with Senator Ted Cruz calling it “unacceptable on its merits” and asserting his commitment to work with Trump to “immediately reverse” it. Representative Carlos Gimenez also condemned the move, labeling Biden a “pathetic coward.”
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
