The U.S. State Department has placed Cuba back on a list of countries that did not fully cooperate with U.S. counterterrorism efforts in 2024, reversing a decision made by the Biden administration last year.
In a statement released Tuesday, the department highlighted that Cuba is sheltering at least 11 U.S. fugitives, including individuals facing terrorism-related charges. The State Department emphasized that Cuba’s government has shown no willingness to discuss their return to the U.S. to face justice.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez criticized the decision, calling it false and accusing U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American, of spreading lies. “It’s worth reminding him that agencies of his own country in 2024 presented evidence to the contrary,” Rodriguez wrote on social media late Tuesday.
The Biden administration had previously removed Cuba from the list, citing improved law enforcement cooperation between the two countries. This decision was based on the belief that the earlier designation was no longer justified.
It’s important to note that the counterterrorism cooperation list is distinct from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. While President Biden had removed Cuba from the latter list, his successor, President Trump, reversed that decision upon taking office, reinstating harsh sanctions on the island.
Alongside Cuba, the U.S. State Department also re-certified North Korea, Iran, Syria, and Venezuela as countries failing to cooperate in counterterrorism efforts. This certification leads to a ban on the sale or export of defense articles and services to these nations.
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