Former President Donald Trump overturned Joe Biden’s decision to remove Cuba from the US terrorism list. The move provoked backlash from international leaders, particularly in China and Russia.
Reversal of Diplomatic Progress
Trump swiftly reversed several key policies of the Biden administration shortly after his inauguration. One of these was the removal of Cuba from the US terrorism list.
Biden’s administration had delisted Cuba on the condition that it release 553 prisoners, including political detainees from the 2021 protests. Cuba had begun complying, freeing several prisoners, including well-known dissident Daniel Ferrer.
Outcry from China and Russia
China criticized the reinstatement as a display of American dominance. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson described the decision as baseless and tyrannical.
Russia, too, condemned the move. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova argued that the decision unjustly targeted Cuba, which she described as an active participant in global counterterrorism. She claimed the US aimed to destabilize Cuba and provoke social unrest.
Economic Consequences for Cuba
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel denounced Trump’s actions as an attempt to escalate the economic blockade against the island. The terror list classification restricts foreign investments and exacerbates Cuba’s financial hardships. Díaz-Canel accused the US of using economic warfare to enforce dominance over the nation.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the decision, asserting that Cuba meets the criteria for a state sponsor of terrorism. Rubio, of Cuban descent, strongly opposes Cuba’s communist leadership and expressed support for the renewed restrictions.
Intensified Relations Between Cuba and Russia
Russia pledged to support Cuba against what it called an illegal and inhumane blockade. Russian-Cuban ties have strengthened since 2022, with the two nations cooperating more closely in response to shared geopolitical tensions.
Trump’s decision signals a return to a hardline stance on Cuba, heightening diplomatic friction and affecting international relations.
