Washington, Jan 14 (EFE). – US President Joe Biden on Tuesday removed Cuba from the list of countries that sponsor terrorism, less than a week before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in.
Trump included the island on the list during his first term (2017-2021), which carries severe sanctions.
Biden decided to promote the removal from the list in exchange for the release of several Cuban prisoners as part of a process mediated by the Vatican, senior US administration officials told the press.
Following Biden announcements the Cuban government announced the release of 553 prisoners.
The outgoing president also suspended the ability of US citizens to sue in US courts for the expropriation of their property in Cuba and lifted some financial sanctions.
As a result of these actions, the White House expected the release of prisoners in Cuba, including those who took part in the Jul. 11 protests.
Biden administration sources said that in recent years the US had received requests from several partners, including the European Union, Spain, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Canada, to remove Cuba from the list.
The inclusion in January 2021 was one of the last decisions taken by Republican Donald Trump before he left power at the end of his first term.
The US justified the measure by alluding to the presence on the island of members of the Colombian guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), who traveled to Havana to begin peace negotiations with the Colombian government, which broke off during the administration of Colombian President Ivan Duque (2018-2022).
This designation means a ban on arms sales to the country, greater control over its exports, restrictions on foreign aid, increased visa requirements, and various economic sanctions.
Cuba had been on the list since 1982 but was removed in 2015 during the rapprochement promoted by then-US President Barack Obama (2009-2017) and halted by Trump, who doubled down on sanctions against Havana and halted the “thaw” during his term in office.
The outgoing Biden administration has made some gestures towards the island, such as lifting the cap on remittances to Cuba, but has kept Cuba on the list until now.
Cuban President Miguel Días-Canel has repeatedly asked Washington to remove his country from the list, which he says is unjustified and has serious economic consequences for the island.
Biden announced a few days before the new Trump administration, which has nominated Cuban-born senator and Havana hardliner Marco Rubio as secretary of state, takes office on Jan 20. EFE
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