The Biden administration announced on Tuesday that it has officially removed Cuba from the US State Sponsor of Terrorism list, reversing a designation made by the Trump administration in January 2021.
In a press release titled “Certification of Rescission of Cuba’s Designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism,” President Joe Biden stated:
“Pursuant to the Constitution and the laws of the United States, and consistent with sections 1754(c) and 1768(c) of the National Defence Authorisation Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (50 U.S.C. 4813(c) and 4826(c)), I hereby certify with respect to the rescission of the determination of January 12, 2021, regarding Cuba that the Government of Cuba has not provided any support for international terrorism during the preceding 6-month period; and the Government of Cuba has provided assurances that it will not support acts of international terrorism in the future.”
The Trump administration initially placed Cuba on the State Sponsor of Terrorism list, citing its alleged support for terrorism and granting safe harbor to terrorists. A 2021 statement from the US Embassy in Cuba justified the designation, claiming that the Cuban government had provided resources and refuge for individuals and groups accused of terrorism, such as the National Liberation Army (ELN) of Colombia.
The embassy’s statement highlighted that the Cuban government had refused Colombia’s requests to extradite ten ELN leaders following their claim of responsibility for the January 2019 bombing of a Bogota police academy, which killed 22 people and injured over 87 others.
Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez condemned its inclusion in the list, describing the move as “hypocritical and cynical.” He stated:
“The US political opportunism is recognized by those who are honestly concerned about the scourge of terrorism and its victims.”
The removal of Cuba from the list marks a significant shift in US foreign policy, reflecting the Biden administration’s efforts to redefine its relationship with the country.