• The Florida Democratic Party criticized President Biden's decision to remove Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism (SST) list.
• Nikki Fried emphasized human rights violations in Cuba while acknowledging the return of political prisoners.
• Republican Senator Ted Cruz also opposed the decision, labeling it as "unacceptable."
• The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the removal but noted that the economic blockade remains.

The Florida Democratic Party has expressed strong disapproval of President Biden's recent decision to remove Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism (SST) list. The move is part of an exchange for the release of political prisoners who protested against the regime during the 2021 demonstrations.

Nikki Fried, Chair of the Florida Democratic Party, stated that while the return of political prisoners is indeed commendable, the continued oppression faced by the Cuban people remains a grave concern. She remarked, “It would be naive to think that this negotiated exchange would signal a change in treatment for the Cuban people” (source: India Times).

The Biden administration announced the removal of Cuba from the SST list, a designation originally reinstated during the last days of the Trump administration. Officials indicated that they had communicated with incoming Republican leaders about this significant shift in policy. The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed this decision but highlighted that the economic “blockade” against the island remains in effect.

In her condemnation, Fried called for an immediate retraction of Biden's decision, stating, “We condemn in the strongest terms Cuba’s removal from this list, as well as any possible lifting of economic sanctions” (source: The Hill). The announcement has also attracted backlash from Republican leaders, including Senator Ted Cruz, who termed the decision “unacceptable on its merits” and vowed to work with President-elect Trump’s administration to reverse it.

For further insights, visit the comprehensive article published on The Hill.