The White House said that as part of an agreement mediated by the Catholic Church to liberate political prisoners on the island, President Joe Biden informed Congress of his intention to revoke the United States’ classification of Cuba as a state supporter of terrorism.
By the conclusion of the Biden administration at noon on January 20, “many dozens” of political prisoners and others the US believes have been wrongfully jailed will be released, according to senior US government officials who reviewed the statement on condition of anonymity.
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In addition to a 2017 letter by then-President Donald Trump strengthening US policy toward Cuba, the US would also reduce some economic pressure on the island nation.
As soon as next week, when Trump, the Republican who is now the president-elect, enters office and Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio becomes America’s top diplomat, the decision made by the departing one-term Democrat is probably going to be overturned.
Rubio has always supported sanctions on the communist island; his family fled Cuba in the 1950s, before the communist revolution that installed Fidel Castro. On January 15, 2025, Rubio will testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for confirmation, and he is anticipated to discuss his Cuban heritage. Additionally, Trump has named Mauricio Claver-Carone, a staunch advocate of sanctions against Cuba and a former White House National Security Council assistant, his special envoy to Latin America.
