Biden Removes Cuba from U.S. Terrorism List Days Before Leaving Office

The move, accompanied by Cuba's pledge to release 553 prisoners, is expected to be reversed by Donald Trump after his inauguration.

President Joe Biden officially removed Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism on January 14, 2025, in a surprise late-term decision.
Cuba announced plans to release 553 prisoners, including some jailed for participating in anti-government protests in July 2021, as part of ongoing negotiations mediated by the Catholic Church.
Biden also suspended lawsuits under the Helms-Burton Act and lifted certain financial restrictions affecting U.S.-Cuba relations.
The decision faced immediate backlash from Republican lawmakers, with Senator Ted Cruz and others labeling it an attempt to undermine the incoming Trump administration.
Donald Trump, set to be inaugurated on January 20, 2025, is expected to reinstate Cuba on the list, reversing Biden's actions as he did with Barack Obama's similar measures during his first term.