The United States maintains Cuba, for the third consecutive year, on a list of countries that do not collaborate “completely” against the terrorism.
Pursuant to section 40A of the Arms Export Control Act (22 USC 2781) and Executive Order 13637, I hereby determine and certify to Congress that the following countries are not fully cooperating with United States antiterrorism efforts : Cuba, Democratic People’s Party Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea), Iran, Syria and Venezuela,” Foreign Minister Anthony Blinken wrote in the Federal Register (FR), which contains rules from federal agencies and public notices.
Under US law, the United States may not export or offer defense articles or services to the countries on this list.
The mendacious accusations against #Cuba referring to terrorism, an abominable crime that the US has practiced without scruples and that it opportunistically uses as a tool of political coercion.
— Bruno Rodríguez P (@BrunoRguezP) May 23, 2023
The inclusion of Cuba in the list, in January 2021, was one of the last decisions made by Donald Trump (2017-2021) before leaving the executive.
The United States then justified the measure by alluding to the presence on the island of members of the Colombian guerrilla of the National Liberation Army (ELN), who traveled to Havana to start peace negotiations with the Colombian government.
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The island had left the list in 2015, during the rapprochement stage promoted by then US President Barack Obama (2009-2017).
President Miguel Díaz-Canel early criticized Joe Biden’s decision to keep Cuba on that list and assured that it is a measure taken to justify the “illegal blockade.” The Cuban government described the incident on Tuesday as “mendacious accusations.”
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez considered that remaining on that list is an “abominable crime that the United States has practiced without scruples and that it opportunistically uses as a tool of political coercion.”
EFE/OnCuba/Federal Register.
