In brief
President Biden has announced plans to remove Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, a move anticipated to aid in normalizing relations and support the island nation's struggling economy. This decision also aligns with efforts to liberate protesters jailed during a government crackdown following significant unrest in 2021. The administration's actions reflect the ongoing back-and-forth between U.S. administrations regarding Cuba, with questions remaining about potential reversals by the incoming Trump administration.
President Biden plans to remove Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, a decision expected to be announced soon by U.S. officials. This action comes as part of an agreement aimed at facilitating the release of protesters imprisoned during a significant crackdown by Cuba's Communist government in 2021. Historically, the inclusion of Cuba on this list has complicated U.S.-Cuba relations, with the Obama administration having previously removed it only for it to be reinstated under President Trump.Biden's decision could provide a much-needed boost to Cuba's struggling economy, which has suffered due to a lack of international banking support, as banks hesitated to engage due to complexities surrounding the designation. U.S. officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity while previewing the decision, suggested that the Catholic Church has played a key role in advocating for the incarcerated protesters' release.The crackdown in Cuba followed massive demonstrations fueled by public anger over the nation's deteriorating economic situation. Human rights organizations have reported severe treatment of those arrested during the protests, implicating the government in torture and unfair trials.Critics have long denounced Cuba's placement on the terrorism list, arguing that it fails to align with the statutory requirements for such a designation. William LeoGrande, a noted Cuba expert, emphasized that Cuba has not provided material support to terrorists, challenging the appropriateness of its current status.As Biden's presidency comes to a close, the potential repercussions of this decision on U.S.-Cuba relations remain uncertain, particularly with Donald Trump poised to return to the White House. Observers will be keen to see if the incoming administration will choose to reverse this pivotal action.
