President Joe Biden is set to remove Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, a pivotal move tied to a prisoner release agreement, the White House confirmed on Tuesday.
Shortly after the announcement, Cuban authorities declared plans to release 553 prisoners convicted of various offenses, raising hopes that the list includes activists detained during widespread anti-government demonstrations four years ago.
Cuba’s terror designation was reinstated by President Donald Trump in the final days of his first term in 2021, a move that blocked U.S. economic assistance and arms exports to the island nation.
However, a senior Biden administration official revealed that a recent evaluation found “no credible evidence” to justify Cuba’s continued placement on the list.
Cuban officials welcomed the development as a positive, though limited, gesture.
“This decision addresses specific coercive actions that severely harm our economy and have a profound impact on the Cuban people,” Cuba’s foreign ministry stated.
The release of prisoners is expected to proceed in stages following negotiations mediated by the Catholic Church, although detailed identities of those being freed remain undisclosed.
Many hope this initiative will free individuals jailed after the massive anti-regime protests in 2021, which erupted over the nation’s deepening economic crisis.
Cuba’s current designation alongside North Korea, Syria, and Iran places it under severe sanctions, as these nations are accused by the U.S. of supporting terrorism.
When Trump returned Cuba to the list in 2021, he cited its unwavering support for Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The Cuban government denounced the action as “hypocritical” and driven by “political opportunism.”
ALSO READ: Trump Warns Maduro as Venezuela Braces for Political Turmoil—U.S. Expands Sanctions with $25M Bounty
The Biden administration’s decision could not only secure prisoner releases but also mark a step toward mending U.S.-Cuba relations. This diplomatic shift may pave the way for further dialogue on divisive issues and potentially ease Cuba’s economic hardships.
Financial constraints imposed by Trump’s designation have hindered major banks and international businesses from legally operating in Cuba.
A White House statement indicated that Biden would notify Congress of his plans, including rolling back financial restrictions that limited remittances to Cuba and suspending property claims under the Helms-Burton Act.
It remains unclear whether Trump would reinstate these policies if he resumes office on January 20. His nominee for secretary of state, Marco Rubio, a staunch advocate of Cuban sanctions, has long championed a hardline approach. Rubio’s family fled Cuba in the 1950s before Fidel Castro’s communist regime seized power.
Biden’s reversal represents a critical policy shift that may redefine U.S.-Cuba relations amid the island’s ongoing political and economic turbulence.