President Joe Biden has announced his intention to lift the U.S. designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism.
This decision is part of a deal brokered by the Catholic Church to secure the release of political prisoners in Cuba.
The big picture: The Biden administration plans to release “many dozens” of political prisoners and individuals deemed unjustly detained by the U.S. by the end of Biden’s term on January 20.
- In addition to removing the state sponsor of terrorism designation, the U.S. will also ease economic pressure on Cuba and revoke a 2017 memorandum that toughened U.S. policy toward the country, issued by then-President Donald Trump.
What we’re watching: The decision to lift the designation under Biden is expected to be overturned by the incoming administration led by President-elect Trump and Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio. Rubio, who comes from a Cuban family that fled the country in the 1950s, has been a strong advocate for sanctions against Cuba.
- Trump had reinstated the state sponsor of terrorism designation for Cuba during his final days in office, citing reasons such as Cuba’s support for Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela and refusal to extradite Colombian rebels, among other concerns.
Driving the news: Human rights groups and activists, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, had been urging the Biden administration to remove the terrorism designation in order to alleviate the impact of Cuba’s economic isolation on its people.
What they’re saying: Members of Congress, including Senator Ted Cruz, have criticized Biden’s decision.
- “Today’s decision is unacceptable on its merits,” Cruz said in a statement. “The terrorism advanced by the Cuban regime has not ceased. I will work with President Trump and my colleagues to immediately reverse and limit the damage from the decision.”
