The Biden administration plans to lift Cuba’s terrorism designation, aiming to improve relations and potentially free political prisoners.
Havana: After a long wait, the Biden administration is finally lifting Cuba’s terrorism label. This change comes after discussions, partly led by the Catholic Church, to release political prisoners.
A senior official mentioned there’s no solid proof that Cuba supports international terrorism anymore. It’s about time, right? Cuba always seemed out of place on that list, especially compared to countries like Syria and Iran.
Remember, it was former Secretary of State Pompeo who put Cuba on that list just before leaving office, and he didn’t really explain why. Being labeled a state sponsor of terrorism is a big deal, and many thought Biden would fix it once he took over.
After all, he was part of the Obama administration, which made strides in improving U.S.-Cuba relations back in 2015. But for a while, it seemed like nothing was happening, and advocates were getting restless.
Now, it looks like Biden is finally taking steps to improve things. His decision is also influenced by advice from leaders in Latin America who want to see better human rights for the Cuban people.
The Catholic Church has a good relationship with Cuba, and this deal could lead to the release of many political prisoners, some of whom were jailed for minor protests or social media posts.
While Cuba welcomed the news, they still want the U.S. embargo lifted, which they say harms their economy. It’s uncertain how long this new status will last, especially with Trump back in the picture and likely to appoint hardliners on Cuba.
Many U.S. businesses are eager to trade with Cuba, so there’s a lot at stake here. Let’s see how this unfolds!
