Focus on the BIG picture.
Monday, Jul 07, 2025

Biden Administration Moves to Delist Cuba as State Sponsor of Terrorism

Biden Administration Moves to Delist Cuba as State Sponsor of Terrorism

Decision follows negotiated agreement facilitated by the Catholic Church and aims to release 553 political prisoners, with implications for U.S.-Cuba relations.
In a significant diplomatic development, the Biden administration has notified Congress of its decision to remove Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.

This action is part of an agreement reportedly brokered through the Catholic Church that includes the "gradual" release of 553 political prisoners from Cuba’s communist government.

The announcement, made just days before President Joe Biden's departure from the White House, marks a potential shift in U.S.-Cuban relations under the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.

A senior administration official explained that a comprehensive assessment concluded there was insufficient information to justify Cuba's current designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

The official also highlighted the Catholic Church's critical role in advancing an agreement that promotes the humanitarian release of individuals detained unjustly in Cuba.

Cuba’s foreign ministry responded positively to the announcement, emphasizing that while the decision is limited, it aligns with the sustained demands of the Cuban government and its people, as well as numerous calls from Latin American and Caribbean governments.

However, the ministry highlighted that the economic embargo imposed by the United States remains a significant barrier to Cuba's economic recovery and development.

The decision to delist Cuba from the terrorism sponsors list reverses a position taken by the Trump administration in 2021. Under Trump, Cuba was designated for "repeatedly providing support for acts of international terrorism," a move that reinstated sanctions restricting trade, foreign assistance, and exports to Cuba.

The Biden administration's decision is reminiscent of the approach taken by the Obama administration, which initially removed Cuba from the list in 2015.

Despite the optimism surrounding the prisoner release, concerns persist about the incoming Trump administration's potential to redesignate Cuba.

Conservative figures, such as Senator Rick Scott from Florida, criticized Biden's decision as reckless, pledging to collaborate with Trump to reverse the delisting.

International reactions to the move have been varied.

Some global leaders, like Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, praised Biden for pursuing dialogue with Latin America.

Similarly, Chile’s President Gabriel Boric and Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have previously advocated for lifting sanctions against Cuba, arguing that these measures harm the Cuban population more than the government.

The outcome of Cuba’s potential redesignation remains uncertain, with figures like the UK ambassador to Cuba, Sir George Hollingbery, suggesting that logistical challenges might delay or even prevent a reversal.

However, economic actors, particularly banks, are likely to continue exercising caution regarding transactions involving Cuba.

This diplomatic shift occurs amid broader discussions about U.S.-Latin American relations and policies towards Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the coast of Florida.

As the international community watches closely, the forthcoming dynamics under President-elect Trump will undoubtedly impact future engagements with Cuba.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Two Firefighters Killed in Idaho Ambush; Suspect Dies by Suicide
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Remains of Seven Missing Workers Found After Northern California Fireworks Warehouse Explosion
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
Texas Flooding Claims Lives and Leaves Youth Campers Missing
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
President Trump Signs 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' Amid Celebratory Military Flyover
Starbucks Faces New Competition as China’s Top Coffee Chain Enters U.S. Market
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
US Eases Chip Software Sales Restrictions to China
Trump Announces New Trade Agreement Between U.S. and Vietnam
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Mediators Edge Closer to Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
Mexico Shifts Power to Central Government in Legislative Blitz
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Chinese Astronauts Successfully Return from Tiangong Space Station
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
France Requests Airlines to Cut Flights at Paris Airports Amid Planned Air Traffic Controller Strike
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
Singapore Police Empowered to Seize Bank Accounts to Combat Scams
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Never forget when Melania Trump OBLITERATED this MSNBC reporter
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
×