Biden to Remove Cuba from Terrorism List: A Key Shift in U.S. Policy

President Biden's controversial decision to remove Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism reflects ongoing complexities in U.S.-Cuban relations and could pave the way for economic improvement in Cuba.

In a notable announcement on Tuesday, President Biden's administration confirmed it will remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, aiming to strengthen relations and facilitate the release of protesters detained during the recent 2021 government crackdown. This shift in policy aligns with advocacy from the Catholic Church, which has been instrumental in urging the government to free the many political detainees incarcerated during significant protests against the Communist regime.

This latest development signals a continued evolution of U.S. policy on Cuba, which has seen marked shifts through different presidential administrations. While the Obama administration notably removed Cuba from the terrorism list, the Trump administration reinstated it just before leaving office in 2021.

Experts suggest that this change could provide much-needed relief for Cuba’s struggling economy, as financial institutions have previously hesitated to engage with the island nation due to the complexities of compliance with U.S. law regarding terrorism. Speculation now surrounds whether President-elect Trump will choose to overturn Biden's decision, potentially reigniting tensions.

In defending the decision to delist Cuba, U.S. officials maintain that Cuba's actions do not meet the legal criteria for such classification. Several human rights organizations have condemned the imprisonment conditions, alleging torture and unfair trials for detainees arrested during recent protests, emphasizing a need for comprehensive reforms within Cuba.

Despite the presence of U.S. fugitives residing in Cuba, experts clarify that their cases do not meet the international terrorist designation. This ongoing discourse highlights contrasting interpretations of Cuba’s role and actions within American political narratives.

This crucial moment underscores the challenges and opportunities in U.S.-Cuba relations as the Biden administration seeks to redefine its foreign policy footprint in Latin America ahead of possible changes in leadership.