In a move that has sparked debate, the Biden administration rescinded Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. This reverses a Trump-era decision made in 2021. The Biden administration asserts that Cuba has not recently supported international terrorism and has provided assurances against future support. This decision, reportedly part of a deal brokered by the Catholic Church to release political prisoners in Cuba, aims to foster greater freedom, democracy, and human rights improvements in Cuba. The administration believes this requires practical engagement beyond previous policies, considering recent developments in Cuba and the shifting global landscape.
The image above depicts a symbolic representation of the relationship between the US and Cuba. (Getty Images)
The 2021 designation, implemented just before Biden took office, accused Cuba of harboring terrorists and supporting international terrorism. At the time, the U.S. Embassy in Cuba highlighted the regime's oppression of its people and its interference in Venezuela and the Western Hemisphere. The statement referenced Raul Castro, then-First Secretary of the Communist Party, and his brother, Fidel Castro. Cuba was initially designated a state sponsor of terrorism in 1982, with the designation lifted in 2015 and reinstated in 2021.
Havana, Cuba's capital, stands as a symbol of the nation's complex history. (Frédéric Soltan/Corbis via Getty Images)
The State Department's 2019 report cited Cuba's close ties with Iran and North Korea, as well as its harboring of ELN leaders and fugitives from the United States. Senator Rubio emphasized the Cuban people's struggle for freedom under communist rule, highlighting the 2021 protests as a historic moment. Senator Cruz criticized the Biden administration's move as unacceptable, arguing that the Cuban regime continues to support terrorism.
The image above is a collage representing the presidential transition of power. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images | Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg)
The State Department and the White House declined to comment when contacted by Fox News Digital.
