Key Takeaways:

• The Biden administration has announced its intent to remove Cuba from the state sponsors of terrorism list.
• This decision is tied to a deal brokered by the Catholic Church for the release of over 550 political prisoners.
• Republican lawmakers have expressed strong opposition, framing Biden's decision as harmful to U.S. national security.
• The decision could be swiftly reversed by the incoming Trump administration, which is expected to take a tougher stance on Cuba.

In a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, the Biden administration announced plans to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation reinstated just days before Trump left the presidency. The announcement was made on January 14, 2025, during the final week of Biden's term, and aims to facilitate the release of political prisoners detained following widespread protests in Cuba in July 2021. This decision aligns with diplomatic efforts, notably involving the Catholic Church, which has been advocating for humanitarian steps towards improving the situation on the island.

A senior administration official stated that the assessment concluded there is "no credible evidence" supporting Cuba's ongoing designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. The move is expected to lead to the gradual release of 553 inmates, many of whom were imprisoned during the protests that erupted amid economic crisis and discontent over government policies.

Cuban officials welcomed Biden's actions as a step towards normalizing relations and alleviating some pressures from long-standing U.S. economic sanctions that they describe as "genocidal". The Cuban Foreign Ministry expressed gratitude for the U.S. decision, stating it represents a "rectification of a cruel and unjust policy," but acknowledged that the scope of the decision is limited.

However, the political landscape surrounding this announcement indicates potential turmoil. Republican leaders such as Senator Ted Cruz have condemned the decision, calling it "unacceptable" and asserting that it sends a detrimental message regarding U.S. commitments to combat terrorism. Cruz, alongside other Republicans like Senator Marco Rubio, who is anticipated to assume the role of Secretary of State under Trump, is likely to advocate for reversing Biden's decisions swiftly upon taking office.

The complexity of the U.S.-Cuba relationship remains evident, with significant historical fluctuations in policy direction. Previous diplomatic engagements under the Obama administration had led to a thawing of relations with Cuba, efforts that were sharply curtailed during Trump’s presidency, marking a consistent oscillation between engagement and isolationist strategies that reflect broader U.S. foreign policy debates.

As the incoming administration gears up to address the Cuba policy, all eyes will remain on how these developments impact U.S.-Cuba relations, humanitarian conditions on the island, and the strategic responses from both Cuban officials and the U.S. government in the coming weeks.

For more details, visit the original articles: LA Times, Al Jazeera, NPR.