U.S. President Joe Biden notified Congress on Tuesday that he intends to delist Cuba as a U.S.-designated state sponsor of terrorism in a deal facilitated by the Catholic Church to free political prisoners on the island.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity before the announcement, senior administration officials told reporters that dozens of political prisoners and others deemed unjustly detained by U.S. officials would be freed by noon on January 20.
The announcement also indicated the U.S. would aim to reduce economic pressure on the island nation.
“Today’s actions demonstrate that President Biden’s Cuba policy, which is focused on achieving practical results with respect to human rights in Cuba, will pay dividends for the Cuban people,” a senior official told reporters, acknowledging Havana’s “direct dialogue with the Catholic Church.”
Hours after Biden’s announcement, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said his government would gradually release 553 prisoners after talks with the church.
Earlier, his government expressed gratitude.
“Despite its limited scope, this is a decision that points to the right direction and is in line with the sustained and firm demand by the government and the people of Cuba,” the country’s foreign ministry said in a press release.
“The decision announced today by the United States, rectifies, in a very limited way, some aspects of a cruel and unjust policy,” it added.
In Congress, the backlash to Biden’s announcement was swift.
“Today’s decision is unacceptable on its merits,” Republican Senator Ted Cruz said in a statement. “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.”
Fellow Republican Representative Carlos Gimenez also criticized the announcement, predicting a quick reversal on the policy by President-elect Donald Trump.
“President Biden is a pathetic coward,” Gimenez posted on X. “Come January 20th, there will be a NEW SHERIFF in town & President Trump alongside Secretary of State @SenMarcoRubio will not only put #Cuba BACK on the list but PULVERIZE the regime once & for all!”
According to The Associated Press, human rights groups and activists, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, have been pressing the Biden administration to lift the designation to ease the suffering of Cuban people who feel the impact of Cuba’s economic isolation.
Some information for this report is from The Associated Press.
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