U.S. Removes Cuba from State Sponsors of Terrorism List

In a statement made just days before leaving office, U.S. President Joe Biden announced Cuba’s removal from the list. Initially added in 1982 under President Ronald Reagan, Cuba was taken off in 2015 during the Obama administration but reinstated on January 12, 2021, during Donald Trump’s presidency.

President Biden’s decision follows a comprehensive review, concluding that Cuba no longer meets the legal criteria for inclusion on the list. “The Government of Cuba has not provided any support for international terrorism during the preceding six months and has assured it will not support such acts in the future,” Biden stated.

This move is expected to strengthen U.S.-Cuba relations and promote regional stability in the Caribbean. It also significantly impacts travel to the United States, particularly for individuals subject to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

A Cuban foreign ministry statement said the decision reflected the “humanitarian nature of the Cuban justice system” but did not tie the prisoner release to the Biden announcements.

Cuba’s government called the breakthrough a step in the “right direction,” but accused the U.S. of continued “economic warfare” against the island, warning that the measures could be quickly rolled back and that the Cold War-era U.S. trade embargo against Cuba remained.

Last year Belize marked the 29th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Cuba, with Cabinet expressing gratitude for the strong partnership. Acknowledging Cuba’s significant contributions in healthcare and education through its doctors and teachers, the government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties with this key Caribbean ally.