Biden revoked Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism

The Biden administration will expel Cuba list of state sponsors of terrorism as part of an agreement to release political prisoners in exchange for easing restrictions.

The Catholic Church has facilitated a deal with Cuba that would allow the humanitarian release of dozens of political prisoners before the end of the Biden administration at noon on January 20, a senior administration official said. The prisoners were arrested after the government’s brutal crackdown on the 2021 protests.

This is a political move that could be reversed by the incoming Trump administration. Sen. Marco RubioTrump’s choice for secretary of state, whose family fled Cuba in the 1950s, has previously spoken in favor of sanctions against the communist country.

Senior administration officials said there was no evidence based on the government’s latest assessment to support continued state sponsorship of terrorism, and that the Trump administration would use the same data if they decided to re-designate Cuba. Biden’s team contacted his colleagues in Trump’s team about the issue.

President Barack Obama removed Cuba from the terrorist list before his successor, President-elect Donald Trump. Added Cuba again in 2021.