There is no argument for Cuba’s permanence on a terrorist list

Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, member of the Political Bureau and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, affirmed that there is no valid and reasonable argument for the permanence of the Island in the unilateral list of the U.S. State Department of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism.

In his account in X, he described the action as inadmissible, particularly when it is exercised against a nation that is a victim of that scourge, and which still suffers the unpunished instigation to violence and dissimilar terrorist acts promoted, precisely, from the United States.

In his message, the Foreign Minister stressed Cuba’s permanent position of firm rejection and persecution of any form or manifestation of terrorism, which is recognized at a global level.

Cuba was first included in that list during the Reagan administration, in 1982, and remained in it until 2015, when President Barack Obama decided to withdraw it. On January 12, 2021, with nine days before leaving the White House, Donald Trump’s administration reinstated it. Today, Joe Biden’s administration has maintained it.

Remaining on the list creates additional obstacles to humanitarian assistance at a time when Cuba is grappling with shortages of basic commodities and medical supplies, which have been exacerbated by the lingering economic impact of the pandemic, the tightening of U.S. sanctions under the Trump administration as part of the economic blockade, and a global spike in food prices.

As a consequence of the listing, banks, financial institutions, businesses and investors are hesitant to engage in business with Cuba, while limiting individuals from opening bank accounts abroad, using instruments for international collections and payments, as well as contracting online servers and services.