Tue Jan 14 21:21:40 UTC 2025: **Biden Administration to Remove Cuba from State Sponsor of Terrorism List**
WASHINGTON D.C. – In a move expected to be reversed by the incoming Republican administration, President Joe Biden is poised to remove Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. The decision, announced Tuesday by the Associated Press citing unnamed U.S. officials, reverses a designation made by the Trump administration in 2021.
A White House official confirmed the decision to AFP, stating that a completed assessment found no evidence to support Cuba’s continued inclusion on the list. Cuban officials welcomed the news, though acknowledging its likely temporary nature. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez called the action “positive” but noted its limited impact given the anticipated reversal under a Republican presidency.
The designation, initially imposed in 1982 under President Reagan, has long been a point of contention. While the State Department cites Cuba’s support for guerrilla groups and terrorists, critics argue the designation is politically motivated and harms the Cuban people.
Republicans have strongly condemned the decision. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) called it “unacceptable” and vowed to work with the incoming Trump administration to overturn it. Other Republicans, including Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), voiced similar concerns, citing Cuba’s human rights record and the potential for the move to embolden the Cuban government.
The Biden administration’s action mirrors a similar move by the Obama administration in 2015, which was subsequently reversed by President Trump. This highlights the cyclical nature of U.S.-Cuba relations and the deep partisan divisions surrounding the issue. The move is largely symbolic given the short timeframe before the change in presidential administrations, and does not change Cuba’s long standing trade embargo. While supporters argue the move may alleviate Cuba’s economic hardships, opponents warn of potential security risks.
First Piper 