In a significant move by the Biden administration, Cuba has been removed from the State Department’s list of countries deemed “not cooperating fully” in counterterrorism efforts — a decision that has sparked concerns from conservative lawmakers.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the decision, citing improved cooperation between Cuban and U.S. law enforcement agencies as the primary reason for Cuba’s removal from the list. The decision reflects a reassessment of Cuba’s status based on changing circumstances from 2022 to 2023.
While Cuba’s removal from the list of non-cooperating countries marks a diplomatic shift, the nation remains on the official list of State Sponsors of Terrorism (SST), alongside Iran, Syria, and North Korea. Any potential review of Cuba’s SST designation would adhere to legal criteria established by Congress.
The decision to remove Cuba from the list comes amid ongoing debates about the country’s ties to international terrorist organizations. The Castro regime’s connections with groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Colombian Marxist terrorist groups have long been a point of contention.
While some view Cuba’s removal from the list as a positive step toward normalization of relations, others express concern about the implications of the decision. Questions linger about the potential impact on regional security and U.S. counterterrorism efforts. A group of conservative lawmakers have criticized the decision, citing concerns about Cuba’s ties to terrorism.
Reps. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Carlos A. Giménez (R-FL), along with Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL), denounced the move in a statement, citing Cuba’s support for terrorist organizations and its harboring of fugitives from U.S. justice.
🚨BREAKING: South Florida Members of Congress Denounce Biden Administration Cuba Policy.
Biden’s latest pathetic concession to the murderous, terrorist Castro regime is not only unwarranted, but dangerous for America’s national security! #SOSCubahttps://t.co/2SFtJyxozE
— Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (@RepCarlos) May 17, 2024
“President Biden is making it abundantly clear he wants to remove the Cuban dictatorship from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The criminal and illegitimate regime in Havana supports foreign terrorist organizations in Colombia, and harbors ETA terrorists as well as fugitives wanted by American courts,” said Senator Marco Rubio.
Senator Rick Scott criticized Biden’s approach, accusing him of weakening national security and supporting terrorism by appeasing the Cuban regime.
The decision to remove Cuba from the list of non-cooperating countries comes amid ongoing debates about the country’s ties to international terrorist organizations. The Castro regime’s connections with groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Colombian Marxist terrorist groups have long been a point of contention.
Conservative lawmakers warn that the decision could embolden the regime and undermine U.S. national security interests. They urge President Biden to reconsider his approach and maintain pressure on the Cuban regime until it fully cooperates in counterterrorism efforts.
The people protesting in the streets in Cuba are not protesting mismanagement.
They're not chanting “manage better.”
They're chanting “libertad.”
They're chanting “freedom.”
But Biden & Harris are unwilling to speak plainly and say the communist dictatorship in Cuba is evil. pic.twitter.com/U0Fp3dvWUv
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 15, 2021
