Step in the right direction

Cuba considers the decision of the US President Joe Biden Administration to remove Cuba from the “list of states sponsoring terrorism” as a step in the right direction, in line with the consistent request of the Cuban Government and people and the strong call of the international community.
Illustrative photo: People attend a parade at Revolution Square to celebrate International Workers' Day in Havana, Cuba, May 1, 2013. (Photo: Xinhua)
Illustrative photo: People attend a parade at Revolution Square to celebrate International Workers' Day in Havana, Cuba, May 1, 2013. (Photo: Xinhua)

However, the embargo against Cuba has not been completely lifted, which remains a particular concern.

On January 14, Prensa Latina news agency quoted a statement from the Cuban Foreign Ministry, emphasising that the US President Joe Biden Administration's removal of Cuba from the list of “states sponsoring terrorism” is a step in line with the common request of the international community. However, Cuba continues to be concerned about the economic embargo that has caused suffering to the Cuban people and is still maintained by the White House.

The Cuban Foreign Ministry's statement came shortly after US President Joe Biden announced on January 13 that Cuba would be removed from Washington's "blacklist". The White House said the decision was made after the US government completed its assessment and determined that there was no evidence that Cuba was supporting international terrorism.

President Biden also signed a document adjusting policies related to financial transactions between certain Cuban and US individuals and organisations, replacing regulations issued in 2017 under the administration of then-US President Donald Trump. The new regulations will end restrictions on Cuban individuals and organisations conducting financial transactions with US individuals and organisations.

The US first added Cuba to the "list of state sponsors of terrorism" in 1982, under former President Ronald Reagan. In 2015, former President Barack Obama reversed the decision, acknowledging that the measure was ineffective. However, just before the end of his presidential term in January 2021, Donald Trump put Cuba back on the “blacklist”.

Speaking after the US announced the easing of the embargo against Cuba, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel stated: This is a decision in the right direction, albeit late and limited. However, it is concerning that the US still maintains the blockade and extreme measures applied since 2017 to suffocate the economy and cause difficulties for the Cuban people.

Grateful for the support of the international community leading to the US decision, Cuba will continue to condemn the economic war, intervention, disinformation and discrediting of Cuba. However, Cuba does not give up on developing “civilised relations” with the US, based on respect for each other's national sovereignty.

Welcoming the US government's move, the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas-Peoples' Trade Agreement (ALBA-TCP) reiterated that Cuba should never have been included in the list of countries that Washington considers sponsors of terrorism.

The members of this Latin American and Caribbean regional bloc affirmed that the Cuban revolution has demonstrated a firm commitment to the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, so the US's inclusion of Cuba and maintenance of the "blacklist" is unreasonable.

The decision to remove Cuba's name is a step in the right direction, in line with Cuba's steadfast and persistent demands, as well as the international community's support for Cuba on the path of sovereign development.

Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, and Honduras, all assessed this as a victory of truth and justice, marking the recognition of the sovereignty and persistent struggle of the Cuban people. Cuba has demonstrated its strong commitment to international peace and solidarity, mediating conflicts and providing medical assistance to many countries.

Affirming support and demanding full respect for Cuba's national sovereignty, the countries reiterated their request for the US to lift all economic, trade and financial embargoes against Cuba.

The US embargo policy imposed over the past 60 years has deeply affected the Cuban people and has been opposed by the international community. Resolutions demanding the lifting of the embargo on Cuba have been passed by the United Nations General Assembly many times.

The decision of the Joe Biden Administration is expected to be an important foundation towards meeting the demands of the international community, moving towards completely eliminating the unilateral and unreasonable policy towards Cuba.