Biden pulls Cuba from terrorism list, reversing Trump decision
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The president notified Congress of its intent to lift the U.S. designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism on Tuesday. Joe Biden has removed Cuba from a list of nations classified as supporting international terrorism, reversing a decision by predecessor Donald Trump to crack down on the communist nation.
![[The determination is likely to be reversed as early as next week after the President-elect re-enters the Oval Office, alongside Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/11/25/23/TRUMP-GABINETE-DIVERSIDAD_43998.jpg)
The president notified Congress of the intent to lift the U.S. designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism on Tuesday, less than a week before Trump is due to be sworn in for his second term. The move is part of a deal facilitated by the Catholic Church to free “many dozens” of political prisoners on the island, jwho were jailed for protesting against the regime in July 2021. They are scheduled to be released by the end of the Biden administration at noon on January 20.
“The United States maintains as the core objective of our policy the need for more freedom and democracy, improved respect for human rights, and increased free enterprise in Cuba,” Biden said in a memo announcing his decision. This will also eliminate “additional regulations on engagement” by U.S. persons and entities with Cuban persons and entities, “beyond that which is currently prescribed in U.S. legislation,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre explained in a statement.
“Achieving these goals will require practical engagement with Cuba and the Cuban people beyond what is outlined in NSPM-5, and that takes into account recent developments in Cuba and the changing regional and global context ... Accordingly, I hereby revoke NSPM-5,” the memo stated.
