In brief
In a significant shift, President Biden announced Cuba will be removed from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, a move expected to benefit protesters jailed during a 2021 crackdown.
Removing Cuba from this list typically hints at improved relations between Washington and Havana. Biden's decision comes as he wraps up his presidency, amid a backdrop of fluctuating U.S. policies on Cuba that have varied greatly between past administrations. Obama took Cuba off the list, but Trump put it back just before leaving office. This latest change, influenced by efforts from the Catholic Church, could aid Cuba's struggling economy by encouraging banks to re-engage, as they previously avoided business due to the list's restrictions. While Biden's administration cites a goal to address the human rights violations stemming from the protests against the Communist government, experts argue Cuba's placement on the terrorism list was never justified. Critics like William LeoGrande emphasize that Cuba does not harbor or support terrorists, pointing out that any U.S. fugitives residing there should not count as justification for the designation. Ultimately, this is a pivotal moment that could reshape how both nations interact moving forward, but the future remains uncertain with Trump potentially reversing this decision when he takes office.
