A State Department official announced on Wednesday that the United States has removed Cuba from a short list of countries it previously alleged were “not cooperating fully” in the fight against terrorism. The official pointed to the resumption of law enforcement cooperation between Cuba and the U.S. as a key factor in this decision, deeming the previous designation no longer appropriate.
“The department determined that the circumstances for Cuba’s certification as a ‘not fully cooperating country’ have changed from 2022 to 2023,” the official stated.
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This decision represents a cautious but symbolically significant step by the Biden administration, which has mostly retained Trump-era restrictions on the Communist-run island thus far.
It’s important to note that the cooperation against terrorism list, which the State Department is obligated by law to provide to the U.S. Congress, is distinct from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, clarified the department official.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump had separately designated Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism just before leaving office, a move that Cuba argues has exacerbated the island’s severe economic crisis and led to shortages of food, fuel, and medicine.
William LeoGrande, a professor at Washington’s American University, told Reuters, “This move by the Biden Administration could well be a prelude to the State Department reviewing Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. Any future review of Cuba’s status would be based on the law and criteria established by Congress.”
While applauding Wednesday’s decision by the Biden administration, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez remarked that it fell short of addressing all concerns.
