Trump Reinstates Cuba on U.S.Terrorism List, Reversing Biden’s Last-Minute Decision
On his first day in office, President Donald Trump suspended an executive order signed by his predecessor, Joe Biden, which had removed Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. This move, announced on January 21, 2025, marks a swift reversal of Biden’s decision, made just days before leaving the White House.
Biden’s January 14 executive order aimed to release Cuban political prisoners through a Vatican-mediated process. on the same day, the Cuban government announced the release of 553 individuals convicted of various crimes. Additionally, Biden suspended the ability of U.S. citizens to sue in U.S. courts over deportations in Cuba and eased some financial sanctions.
Trump’s Renewed Measures Against Cuba
The reinstatement of Cuba to the terrorism list is not new for Trump. In January 2021, during his first term, he placed Cuba back on the list, citing the presence of members of the Colombian national Liberation Army (ELN) on the island as justification.The ELN was in Havana for peace talks with the Colombian government at the time.
Being on the U.S. terrorism list carries important consequences, including bans on arms sales, increased export controls, restrictions on foreign aid, visa bans, and economic sanctions. Cuba had previously been on the list from 1982 to 2015, when it was removed during the Obama management’s efforts to normalize relations. However, Trump reversed this approach, tightening sanctions against the island.
Biden’s Limited Moves Toward Cuba
While Biden maintained Cuba on the terrorism list for most of his presidency, his last-minute decision to remove the island was seen as a symbolic gesture. The cuban government described it as a “limited” but positive step against what it called a “cruel” policy.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-canel criticized Trump’s decision to reinsert Cuba into the list, calling it a “mockery.” In social media posts, Díaz-Canel highlighted how Trump’s earlier sanctions created “deficiencies” for the Cuban population and increased migration to the United States. Despite this, he expressed confidence that the cuban people would “stand up” against thes measures.
Key Points at a Glance
| Event | Details |
|—————————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| Biden’s Executive Order (Jan. 14, 2025)| removed Cuba from the U.S. terrorism list, released 553 prisoners, eased sanctions. |
| Trump’s Reversal (Jan. 21, 2025) | Reinstated Cuba to the terrorism list on his first day in office. |
| Cuba’s Response | Called Trump’s decision a “mockery,” criticized sanctions’ impact on migration.|
| Past Context | Cuba was on the list from 1982-2015, removed under Obama, reinstated by Trump in 2021. |
The back-and-forth between the two administrations underscores the deeply polarized approach to U.S.-Cuba relations. While Biden’s actions aimed to ease tensions, Trump’s swift reversal signals a return to a more hardline stance.
As the Cuban government vows to resist these measures, the impact on bilateral relations and the Cuban population remains to be seen. For now, the island nation finds itself once again at the center of a geopolitical tug-of-war.
Headline:
Trump’s First Move: Reinstating Cuba on U.S. Terrorism list, Unraveling Biden’s Last-Minute Gesture
Introduction:
In a swift reversal of his predecessor’s policies, President Donald Trump, on his first day in office, reinstated Cuba on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. This move, announced on January 21, 2025, undid President Joe Biden’s last-minute executive order that aimed to ease tensions with Cuba. We sit down with Dr. Maria Rodriguez,a renowned expert on U.S.-cuba relations and a senior fellow at the Latin American Research Institute, to discuss the implications of this back-and-forth in U.S.-Cuba relations.
Biden’s Last-Minute Gesture: Removing Cuba from the Terrorism List
Senior Editor (SE): Dr. rodriguez, can you walk us through the details of Biden’s executive order and why it was seen as a meaningful move?
Dr.maria Rodriguez (MR): Certainly. On January 14, 2025, President Biden signed an executive order removing cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. This was a symbolic yet significant gesture as it aimed to release Cuban political prisoners through a Vatican-mediated process and ease some financial sanctions. The move was seen as a step towards normalizing relations with Cuba, a policy that began under the Obama administration but was reversed by Trump.
Trump’s Swift Reversal: Reinstating Cuba on the Terrorism List
SE: Just days later, President Trump reinstated Cuba on the list. What are the consequences of this move,and why did Trump choose to do this?
MR: Being on the U.S.terrorism list carries significant consequences, including bans on arms sales, increased export controls, restrictions on foreign aid, visa bans, and economic sanctions. Trump’s decision to reinstate Cuba on the list was not new; he had done so in 2021, citing the presence of members of the Colombian national Liberation Army (ELN) on the island. However,the timing of this move,on his first day in office,signals a clear return to a more hardline stance on Cuba.
Cuba’s Response and the Impact on Bilateral Relations
SE: How has the Cuban government responded to Trump’s decision, and what does this mean for bilateral relations between the U.S. and Cuba?
MR: The cuban government has criticized Trump’s decision, calling it a ”mockery” and highlighting how previous sanctions have created deficiencies for the Cuban population and increased migration to the United States. Despite this, they have expressed confidence that the Cuban people will stand up against these measures. The back-and-forth between the two administrations underscores the deeply polarized approach to U.S.-Cuba relations.While Biden’s actions aimed to ease tensions, Trump’s swift reversal signals a return to a more antagonistic policy, leaving the future of bilateral relations uncertain.
Looking Ahead: The Future of U.S.-Cuba Relations
SE: Given the current state of affairs, what can we expect from U.S.-Cuba relations in the coming years?
MR: The future of U.S.-Cuba relations remains uncertain. The Cuban government has vowed to resist these measures, and the impact on the Cuban population and bilateral relations remains to be seen.Though, one thing is clear: the island nation finds itself once again at the center of a geopolitical tug-of-war, with each administration taking a different approach to U.S. policy towards Cuba.
SE: Thank you, Dr. Rodriguez, for your insights into this complex and evolving situation.
MR: My pleasure. It’s crucial to understand the nuances of this relationship as it continues to shape the geopolitical landscape.