The U.S. will remove Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism as part of a prisoner release deal. Havana welcomed the move but criticised ongoing U.S. sanctions.
President Joe Biden is to remove the US designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism as part of a prisoner release deal.
"An assessment has been completed, and we do not have information that supports Cuba's designation as being a state sponsor of terrorism. The Government of Cuba has provided assurances that it will not support acts of international terrorism in the future," the White House said on Tuesday.
Speaking about Biden’s policy towards Cuba, the White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that “it focused on achieving practical results with respect to human rights in Cuba and reunify Cuban families, strengthen cultural and educational ties between Cuba and the United States, enable remittances to flow more freely to the Cuban people, and increase support for independent Cuban entrepreneurs.” Right after the statement from White House, Cuba announced its intention to release 553 prisoners detained for "diverse crimes".
The deal for the release of prisoners in Cuba was reached within “a dialogue between the government of Cuba and the Catholic Church.”
With this regard White House official said: “We have been informed by the Catholic Church under the leadership of Pope Francis that the Cuban government will soon begin releasing a substantial number of political prisoners.”
There is hope that the list will include participants in massive anti-government protests four years ago. Human Rights Watch reported more than 1,000 individuals in Cuba met the definition of political prisoners.
The island nation was placed on the list on Jan. 11, 2021, during the first Trump administration. The White House said at the time its aim was “denying the Castro regime the resources it uses to oppress its people at home and countering its malign interference in Venezuela and the rest of the Western Hemisphere.”
Cuba welcomed Washington's announcement Tuesday as a step in the "right direction," but lamented it was still under US sanctions in place since 1962.
Country’s foreign ministry said in press release: "Despite its limited scope, this is a decision that points to the right direction and is in line with the sustained and firm demand by the government and the people of Cuba."
"The decision announced today by the United States, rectifies, in a very limited way, some aspects of a cruel and unjust policy… The economic warfare is still in place and persists in posing a major obstacle to the development and recovery of the Cuban economy, with a high human cost for the population; and continues to be an incentive for emigration," it added.
Cuba has been one of just four nations designated as state sponsors of terrorism, along with North Korea, Iran and Syria. Designation implicates sanctions laws that penalize persons and countries engaging in certain trade with state sponsors in addition to the four main categories of sanctions including restrictions on US foreign assistance, a ban on defence exports and sales, certain controls over exports of dual use items, and miscellaneous financial and other restrictions.
Cuba calls Trump’s proposed mass deportation of immigrants "unrealistic and unfair," urging adherence to U.S.-Cuba migration accords. Trump aims to deport record numbers, focusing on criminals, but faces criticism for potential community and family impacts.
Russia says it will provide Cuba with around 80,000 tonnes of diesel fuel after the island's electric grid collapsed when Hurricane Rafel damaged homes.
Hurricane Rafael struck western Cuba on Thursday, causing widespread damage in Artemisa province, known as Havana's breadbasket. The storm toppled power lines, damaged homes, and uprooted trees. It also knocked out power for 10 million people.
Cuba's electrical grid collapsed Wednesday as Hurricane Rafael struck, leaving millions without power and causing widespread damage across the island.
Cuba has introduced two key measures to make travel easier for foreign visitors, focusing on the D’Viajeros platform
TikTok plans to shut down its app for U.S. users if a federal ban takes effect Sunday. The shutdown goes beyond the proposed law, preventing app access entirely, while offering users a chance to download their data. This follows a law mandating ByteDance to sell U.S. assets by January 2025.
Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged all countries to "take their hands off" Syria.
Counterfeit alcohol poisoning in Istanbul has claimed 19 lives in 72 hours, hospitalizing 65, including 26 foreigners. Authorities closed 63 illegal vendors as the crackdown on toxic methyl alcohol continues.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has officially nominated Constantine Tassoulas for presidency.
From AI to sustainability, discover the top innovations of 2025 that will transform industries, enhance lives, and redefine our future
Highland Park resident Sabrina gives a firsthand account of fleeing the devastating Southern California wildfires, as fierce 80 mph winds drive the Eaton Fire toward residential areas. In an exclusive interview, Sabrina details her experience joining the other 130,000 displaced citizens.
Reports of a two-month halt in Azerbaijani gas supplies to Serbia are false. Despite a technical issue at Shah Deniz Alpha, Shah Deniz Bravo ensures steady exports, with supplies set to resume soon. BP confirms no damage or environmental impact.
A Cessna CJ1+ aircraft (PR-GFS) crashed while landing at Gastão Madeira State Airport (UBT) in Ubatuba, Brazil, on 9 January 2025, amidst adverse weather. The crash, which claimed the pilot’s life and injured seven others, has raised concerns over private aviation safety in Brazil.
Coast Guard divers Chuck Fox and Corey Smith from the US Cutter *Polar Star* successfully repaired a leaking shaft in the freezing waters of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica.
Azerbaijan has temporarily halted its contracted natural gas supply to Bulgaria following a technical issue at BP's Alpha platform in the Shah Deniz gas field.
TikTok plans to shut down its app for U.S. users if a federal ban takes effect Sunday. The shutdown goes beyond the proposed law, preventing app access entirely, while offering users a chance to download their data. This follows a law mandating ByteDance to sell U.S. assets by January 2025.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has officially nominated Constantine Tassoulas for presidency.
Mount Ibu on Indonesia's Halmahera Island erupted, spewing a 4-km ash cloud and prompting the highest alert level, with authorities warning against activities near the crater.
TikTok plans to shut down its app for U.S. users if a federal ban takes effect Sunday. The shutdown goes beyond the proposed law, preventing app access entirely, while offering users a chance to download their data. This follows a law mandating ByteDance to sell U.S. assets by January 2025.
Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged all countries to "take their hands off" Syria.
Counterfeit alcohol poisoning in Istanbul has claimed 19 lives in 72 hours, hospitalizing 65, including 26 foreigners. Authorities closed 63 illegal vendors as the crackdown on toxic methyl alcohol continues.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has officially nominated Constantine Tassoulas for presidency.
From AI to sustainability, discover the top innovations of 2025 that will transform industries, enhance lives, and redefine our future
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment