On Tuesday, the Biden administration made the announcement that it would be removing Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. This decision led to a strong negative reaction from Republicans.
During a briefing with reporters, a senior administration official disclosed that in addition to this change, other actions to enhance relations with the communist nation would involve reversing a directive from the Trump era that limited financial transactions involving military and government figures.
In response to the announcement, Senator Ted Cruz, whose father hailed from Cuba, swiftly declared his intention to collaborate with the incoming administration of Donald Trump to reinstate the state sponsor of terrorism classification.
‘Obama-Biden officials are continuing their legacy of closing out administrations with rank appeasement of the Cuban regime,’ he said.
‘They push these policies both because they believe in them and to undermine the incoming Trump administration and Republican Congress.’
He warned that any softening of the U.S. stance to the island risked ‘incredible damage’ to American national security.
It is the latest back and forth on the issue.
Barack Obama’s administration lifted the designation during a period of warming relations, but it was reimposed on Jan. 11, 2021 during the final days of Donald Trump’s time in office.
On Tuesday afternoon Sen. Ted Cruz slammed the expected move, and promised to work with the incoming Trump administration to reinstate the designation
Aparade commemorating the 66th anniversary of the caravan of freedom, led by the late Fidel Castro, in Havana, Cuba, on 8 January 2025
Officials cited Cuba’s closeness to the oppressive regime in Venezuela as justification as well as its refusal to extradite Colombian rebels to Colombia.
The designation comes with consequences, barring U.S. economic aid, arms exports and the sort of red flag that puts off other countries from doing business with Cuba.
Biden signaled during the 2020 election campaign that he would pursue a softer line but has left to his final week to change policy.
‘First President Biden will be notifying Congress today that he seeks to remove Cuba from the State Department’s State Sponsor of Terrorism list,’ said the official.
‘An assessment has been completed, and we do not have information that supports Cuba’s designation as being a state sponsor of terrorism.’
He added that it was a unilateral move and that it would help the Cuban people.
Human rights groups and activists, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, have been pushing Biden to lift restrictions, warning that Cuba was close to economic collapse.
Some 35 former leaders from around the world wrote to Biden in September, urging him to remove the state sponsor of terrorism label.
Rep. Carlos Gimenez, a South Florida Republican, called Biden a ‘pathetic coward’ on X
President Joe Biden promised action during the 2020 election campaign but waited until the final week of his presidency to soften the US stance on Cuba
‘The reasons we state for requesting the removal of Cuba from the list of State sponsors of terrorism are based on a strong humanitarian appeal that seeks to alleviate the situation of millions of innocent people and our deep conviction that the government of Cuba is seriously committed against terrorism and in favor of peace in the region and the world,’ said the letter, signed by Dilma Rousseff, former president of Brazil, and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, former president of Argentina, among others.
‘No country should compromise for political purposes the seriousness of the fight against the scourge of terrorism.’
The issue is certain to be raised with Trump’s incoming secretary of state, Marco Rubio, when he appears before senators for his confirmation hearing Wednesday.
His family left Cuba before the communist revolution brought Fidel Castro to power but he has long been hawkish in his position on sanctions against the island.
Rep. Carlos Gimenez, a South Florida Republican, called Biden a ‘pathetic coward’ on X.
‘Come January 20th, there will be a NEW SHERIFF in town & President Trump alongside Secretary of State will not only put #Cuba BACK on the list but PULVERIZE the regime once & for all,’ he wrote.
