Trump returns Cuba to the list of state sponsors of terrorism
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump overturned the decision of the previous administration under Joe Biden to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, The Wall Street Journal reports.
It is noted that the decision to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism was made by Biden less than a week ago, on January 15.
It was part of an agreement with the Catholic Church, under which Havana agreed to release 553 political prisoners, including Cubans imprisoned during the suppression of mass protests in 2021.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel criticized Trump's decision, stating that he "demonstrated arrogance and disdain for truth."
According to him, the economic blockade measures implemented by Trump only increase the flow of migration from Cuba to the United States.
Just last week, it was reported that the administration of former US President Joe Biden planned to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. This took place as part of an agreement facilitated by the Catholic Church concerning the release of political prisoners on the island.
Notably, the US first added Cuba to the list of state sponsors of terrorism in 1982, during Ronald Reagan's presidency. The main reason was Cuba's alleged support for terrorist groups in Latin America and providing refuge to individuals deemed terrorists by the US.
In 2015, during Barack Obama's presidency, Cuba was removed from the list to normalize relations between the two countries.
However, in 2021, shortly before the end of his first presidential term, Trump once again included Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The reasons cited included Cuba's support for Venezuela, providing refuge to political fugitives from the US, and general accusations of destabilizing the region.
