According to The Post Millennial, the decision was disclosed by U.S. officials who are privy to the matter. The announcement to rescind the designation was made by Biden shortly after the Associated Press reported on it. In a White House release titled "Certification of Rescission of Cuba’s Designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism," Biden stated, “I hereby certify with respect to the rescission of the determination of January 12, 2021, regarding Cuba that: (i) The Government of Cuba has not provided any support for international terrorism during the preceding 6-month period." He further assured that the "Government of Cuba has provided assurances that it will not support acts of international terrorism in the future."
The Trump administration, nearing the end of its term, had reinstated the designation, a move that had been reversed during President Barack Obama’s second term. However, this decision is expected to be overturned as soon as Trump assumes office next week. The reinstatement was announced by then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who cited Cuba's harboring of US fugitives, refusal to extradite Colombian guerilla commanders, and support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as reasons for the redesignation.
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Activist groups have been pressuring the Biden administration to proceed with the move and lift the designation, as reported by Fox 59. Meanwhile, Marco Rubio, a nominee for secretary of state whose family escaped from Cuba before the communist revolution, is a staunch supporter of sanctions on the Caribbean island nation. Rubio is expected to discuss his family's Cuban roots during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday.
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Senator Ted Cruz, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed his disapproval of the decision, stating, "Today’s decision is unacceptable on its merits. 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." This statement underscores the conservative viewpoint that the Cuban regime's alleged support for terrorism remains a significant concern.
