In a historic move, President Joe Biden plans to remove Cuba from the US state sponsors of terrorism list, a change that signifies an effort to normalize US-Cuba relations and alleviate the island's economic challenges.
US President Biden Set to Remove Cuba from Terrorism List in Major Policy Shift
US President Biden Set to Remove Cuba from Terrorism List in Major Policy Shift
Biden's decision aims to improve relations and foster dialogue with Cuba while facilitating prisoner releases.
This development follows an assessment by the Biden administration which found no evidence supporting Cuba's designation as a terrorist sponsor, reinstated by former President Donald Trump in a controversial move prior to his exit from office in 2021. The White House emphasized that this adjustment is part of a broader strategy that includes a deal for the release of numerous Cuban protesters who were detained during the nationwide demonstrations sparked by the country's economic hardships in 2021.
Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the decision, describing it as a positive step towards alleviating the economic impact of US sanctions. The decision effectively ends certain coercive measures that had exacerbated the living conditions of the Cuban populace and hindered economic growth. The island nation was previously grouped with North Korea, Syria, and Iran due to the perception of its support for terrorism, a status that many critics, including Cuban officials, characterized as politically motivated and hypocritical during Trump's administration.
As part of the reforms, Biden will also communicate changes to Congress concerning financial restrictions imposed on Cuban citizens and will halt claims regarding confiscated properties. This shift not only addresses grievances from the past but also lays groundwork for ongoing dialogue about health, education, and other key issues between the two nations.
While the full impact of these changes remains to be seen, the immediate expectation is the release of a considerable number of political prisoners, facilitated by the Catholic Church. The future of US-Cuba relations might shift again, depending on the policies adopted by Trump if he returns to the presidency on January 20. However, his incoming Secretary of State nominee, Marco Rubio, has consistently promoted strict sanctions against Cuba, reflecting potential roadblocks in the ongoing reconciliation efforts.
Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the decision, describing it as a positive step towards alleviating the economic impact of US sanctions. The decision effectively ends certain coercive measures that had exacerbated the living conditions of the Cuban populace and hindered economic growth. The island nation was previously grouped with North Korea, Syria, and Iran due to the perception of its support for terrorism, a status that many critics, including Cuban officials, characterized as politically motivated and hypocritical during Trump's administration.
As part of the reforms, Biden will also communicate changes to Congress concerning financial restrictions imposed on Cuban citizens and will halt claims regarding confiscated properties. This shift not only addresses grievances from the past but also lays groundwork for ongoing dialogue about health, education, and other key issues between the two nations.
While the full impact of these changes remains to be seen, the immediate expectation is the release of a considerable number of political prisoners, facilitated by the Catholic Church. The future of US-Cuba relations might shift again, depending on the policies adopted by Trump if he returns to the presidency on January 20. However, his incoming Secretary of State nominee, Marco Rubio, has consistently promoted strict sanctions against Cuba, reflecting potential roadblocks in the ongoing reconciliation efforts.
