Biden Administration Moves to Lift Cuba's Terrorism Designation for Political Prisoner Release

President Joe Biden has informed Congress of his plan to remove Cuba from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. This decision is part of an agreement facilitated by the Catholic Church to release political prisoners in Cuba. Senior US officials, speaking anonymously, indicated that many prisoners considered unjustly detained by the US would be freed by January 20, when Biden's term ends.

The US will also reduce some economic pressures on Cuba, reversing a 2017 directive by former President Donald Trump that had hardened the US stance towards the island nation. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Biden's actions are guided by advice from global leaders, particularly in Latin America, who have urged him to promote human rights in Cuba.

US-Cuba Relations and Political Dynamics

The outgoing Democratic president's decision might be overturned soon after President-elect Trump takes office. Marco Rubio, a Republican and Cuban-American, is set to become Secretary of State and has historically supported sanctions against Cuba. Rubio's family left Cuba before Fidel Castro's communist revolution in the 1950s.

Rubio is expected to discuss his Cuban heritage during his Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing. Trump has also appointed Mauricio Claver-Carone, a former National Security Council aide and advocate for Cuban sanctions, as his special envoy to Latin America.

Historical Context and Recent Developments

In Trump's final days in office on January 11, 2021, he reinstated Cuba's designation as a terror sponsor. This move reversed the rapprochement efforts made during Barack Obama's presidency. The Trump administration cited Cuba's support for Venezuela's leader Nicolas Maduro and its refusal to extradite Colombian rebels as reasons for this designation.

Following Trump's designation, the Biden administration imposed new sanctions on Cuban officials after protests erupted over shortages and government policies. These were the first significant protests since the 1990s. Human rights groups have urged Biden to lift the designation to alleviate Cuba's economic isolation.

Cuban Government's Response

Cuba acknowledged Biden's announcement with gratitude but described it as limited. The Cuban foreign ministry stated that while the decision is a step in the right direction, it only partially addresses what they consider an unjust policy. Despite potential reversals by the incoming Trump administration, Cuba remains open to respectful dialogue with the US.

The Cuban government is aware that future US administrations might reverse Biden's decision but remains committed to fostering respectful relations based on dialogue and non-interference. There was no immediate response from Trump's transition team or Rubio's office regarding Biden's move.

Political Reactions in the US

Senator Ted Cruz criticised Biden's decision, stating that Cuban terrorism persists and vowed to work with Trump to reverse it. Representative Carlos Gimenez also condemned Biden's move and predicted a swift reversal by Trump. On Tuesday, Biden certified that Cuba hadn't supported international terrorism recently and assured future compliance.

This decision follows Cuba's removal from a State Department list of countries not fully cooperating against violent groups in May. The move aims to ease tensions and improve relations between the two nations while addressing human rights concerns in Cuba.