In a significant policy shift, U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday the removal of Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The decision marks a step towards easing tensions between Washington and Havana, aiming to foster diplomatic relations and human rights progress in the Caribbean nation.
Biden notified Congress of the move, which is part of a deal to secure the release of political prisoners in Cuba and those deemed unjustly detained by the Cuban government. “After a comprehensive assessment, we’ve determined there is no credible evidence that Cuba currently supports international terrorism,” senior administration officials said during a press call.
The action reverses the decision made by former President Donald Trump in January 2021, who re-added Cuba to the terrorism list in the final days of his term. Trump’s move had undone the efforts of the Obama administration, under which Biden served as Vice President, to normalize relations with Cuba.
As part of the agreement, senior Biden administration officials expect Cuba to release “many dozens” of prisoners by the time President Trump would be inaugurated again on January 20.
Additionally, President Biden signed a national security memorandum rescinding the 2017 Cuba sanctions policy known as “National Security Presidential Memorandum 5,” effectively lifting restrictions on certain Cuban individuals and entities engaging in financial transactions with U.S. counterparts.
To further incentivize the Cuban government’s cooperation, the administration issued a six-month waiver for Title III of the Helms-Burton Act. According to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, this move blocks U.S. nationals or others from bringing claims in U.S. courts over property confiscated by Cuban authorities after the 1959 Cuban Revolution.
The Vatican, led by Pope Francis, played a pivotal role in facilitating the prisoner release deal. President Biden recently awarded the Pope the Presidential Medal of Freedom, acknowledging his contributions to global diplomacy and peace efforts.
