The Biden administration has announced the removal of Cuba from the U.S. state sponsors of terrorism list in exchange for the release of 553 political prisoners held by the Cuban government. The deal, reached through negotiations led by the Catholic Church, aims to secure the release of individuals detained during Cuba’s July 2021 anti-government protests. The protests, triggered by economic hardships and restrictions on freedoms, led to mass arrests, with hundreds of protesters facing long prison sentences.

The decision to remove Cuba from the terror list reverses a move made by the Trump administration in 2021, which had reinstated Cuba’s designation due to its ties with terrorist organizations and harboring fugitives. The terror listing imposed strict travel and financial sanctions on Cuba, further isolating the country from international financial institutions. By removing Cuba from the list, the U.S. seeks to improve relations with Havana while addressing humanitarian concerns through the release of prisoners.
The Catholic Church played a key role in mediating the agreement, emphasizing the humanitarian aspect of freeing political prisoners. According to reports, all 553 detainees will be released in stages over the coming months. The Cuban government has also committed to improving prisoner conditions and freedom of expression as part of the deal. The move is seen as a positive step toward easing tensions between the two countries after years of strained relations.
The decision has sparked bipartisan criticism within the U.S. Some Republican leaders, including Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, condemned the move as appeasement, claiming it undermines U.S. foreign policy and rewards authoritarian regimes. Similarly, some Democratic politicians have expressed concerns over the timing of the decision, fearing political backlash in Florida, home to a large Cuban-American community that remains critical of the Cuban government.
While the removal of Cuba from the terror list could provide some economic relief for the island nation, major U.S. sanctions remain in place. The embargo, which has been in effect for over six decades, continues to restrict trade and financial transactions with Cuba. The impact of this decision will depend on further policy changes by both countries and how Cuba addresses its internal issues moving forward.