Focus on the BIG picture.
Friday, Jan 02, 2026
Outside the box.
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.
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.
