Biden removes Cuba from US State Sponsors of Terrorism list

President Biden notified Congress on January 14, 2025, six days before leaving office, of his decision to remove Cuba from the US State Sponsors of Terrorism list, reversing Trump's 2021 re-designation. The decision was tied to a Vatican-mediated deal under which Cuba agreed to release 553 political prisoners, including participants in the July 11, 2021 protests. The move also rescinded Trump's 2017 Cuba policy memorandum and issued a six-month Helms-Burton Title III waiver. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) called the action a reward for the Cuban government without meaningful human rights progress. President-elect Trump announced he would reverse the decision after taking office.