
In a last-minute decision before leaving office, President Joe Biden announced that Cuba would be removed from the United States’ list of state sponsors of terrorism. This decision is part of an agreement that also involves Cuba releasing 553 prisoners, facilitated through negotiations by the Catholic Church. The move has sparked contrasting responses, particularly as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.
The announcement marks a shift in U.S.-Cuba relations, at least temporarily. Biden’s decision reverses the Trump administration’s policy, which reinstated Cuba to the terrorism list in 2021. The designation had been lifted previously during Barack Obama’s presidency as part of efforts to improve ties between the two countries. Biden’s team cited a lack of evidence to support Cuba’s continued presence on the list, pointing to assessments that found no support for international terrorism by Cuba in recent years.
Cuba’s foreign ministry welcomed the decision, describing it as a step toward improving relations. However, the ministry also acknowledged that the action might be short-lived, given the incoming administration’s likely stance. Cuba’s statement highlighted the ongoing economic strain imposed by U.S. sanctions, which have remained in place for decades despite changes in other policies.
The release of prisoners by Cuba is seen as a gesture of goodwill. While details about the individuals to be freed have not been disclosed, families of those detained during the 2021 anti-government protests expressed hope that their loved ones would be among those released. The protests, driven by frustrations over food shortages, power outages, and economic hardships, led to mass arrests and long sentences for many demonstrators.
Critics of Biden’s decision, particularly among Republican lawmakers, argue that it rewards a regime accused of suppressing its people. Senator Marco Rubio, a staunch advocate for sanctions against Cuba and Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, has vowed to reinstate the designation. Representative Carlos Giménez echoed similar sentiments, calling Biden’s move a mistake and predicting swift reversal under the Trump administration.
Despite the criticisms, the Biden administration defended its decision as a means to foster dialogue and improve humanitarian conditions. Officials emphasized that their assessment found no credible evidence of recent terrorist activities linked to Cuba. They also highlighted the potential for the move to ease some of the economic pressures that have exacerbated hardships for the Cuban population.
The broader implications of this policy shift remain uncertain. While some see it as a step toward thawing relations and addressing human rights concerns, others view it as a temporary gesture that could be undone in the coming weeks. As Trump prepares to take office, his administration’s stance on Cuba will play a decisive role in determining whether this development marks the beginning of a new chapter or a fleeting moment of change.
For now, Biden’s actions serve as a reminder of the complexities of U.S.-Cuba relations and the broader debate over how best to address the challenges posed by the island nation’s government while supporting its people.
USA = Green
Cuba = Orange
Image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license and was created using MapChart(https://mapchart.net).