In a notable shift in diplomatic relations, the United States has officially removed Cuba from its roster of countries deemed to be “not cooperating fully” in the fight against terrorism. A senior State Department official announced this decision on Wednesday, citing the reinvigorated collaboration on law enforcement matters between Cuba and the U.S. as a key factor behind this change.
The decision signifies a nuanced yet symbolically significant step by the Biden administration, which has, until now, largely maintained the stringent restrictions on the Communist-led island introduced during the Trump era. It’s important to note that this cooperation list, mandatorily provided by the State Department to the U.S. Congress, differs from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, clarified the official.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump had previously designated Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism just before leaving office—a move that Cuba vehemently contests, attributing it to exacerbating the island’s severe economic crisis and leading to shortages in essential resources like food, fuel, and medicine.
Analysts speculate that this recent decision by the Biden administration could potentially pave the way for a review of Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. William LeoGrande, a professor at Washington’s American University, shared his insights, suggesting that this development might signal a forthcoming reassessment by the State Department.
However, the State Department official emphasized that any prospective review of Cuba’s status as a state sponsor of terrorism would adhere strictly to the legal parameters and criteria established by Congress, underscoring the importance of due process in such matters.
In response to the announcement, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez welcomed the decision but asserted that it falls short of addressing deeper grievances. Taking to social media, Rodríguez underscored Cuba’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism while calling for an end to what he described as political manipulation and unjust classification on the terrorism sponsorship list.
Despite this shift in Cuba’s status, several other nations, including North Korea, Iran, Syria, and Venezuela, remain on the list of countries not fully cooperating with U.S. counterterrorism efforts, according to the official. The move regarding Cuba reflects a complex interplay of diplomatic considerations and underscores evolving dynamics in the relationship between the two nations.
