Why It Matters:
The revocation of Cuba's delisting as a state sponsor of terrorism by President Trump marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, reflecting ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Cuba. This decision not only reverses a recent Biden administration initiative but also underscores the complexities of U.S.-Cuba relations, which have fluctuated dramatically over the past decade.
The Big Picture:
On Monday, the White House announced that President Trump rescinded President Biden's decision to remove Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation that had been in effect for just one week. This move is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to roll back policies established by the previous administration, particularly those aimed at improving relations with Cuba.
Key Points:
- On January 14, Biden delisted Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism and suspended a provision of the Helms-Burton Act, which had allowed U.S. citizens to file claims over property seized in Cuba.
- Upon his inauguration, Trump annulled 78 measures from the Biden administration, including the recent decision regarding Cuba.
- The Obama Administration removed Cuba from the terrorism list in 2015 as part of a broader effort to normalize relations. However, Trump reversed this course in 2017, tightening restrictions on travel and business with Cuba and reinstating its designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
What He is Saying:
Jorge Lefebre Nicolás, the new Cuban Ambassador to Tehran, criticized the U.S. designation, stating, "Unfortunately, this action has no relation to reality, and they use this tool solely to exert pressure on countries."
He further argued that if the U.S. were genuinely identifying state sponsors of terrorism, countries like Israel and the U.S. itself should be included on the list.
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