Massachusetts Urges President Joe Biden To Remove Cuba From Terrorism Watch List

Massachusetts Democratic federal lawmakers, encompassing Reps. Ayanna Pressley, James P. McGovern, Seth Moulton, Lori Trahan, and Stephen F. Lynch, together with Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey, have jointly urged President Biden to expeditiously eliminate Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism (SSOT) list.

The appeal comes through a formal letter addressed to the President, emphasizing the alleged meritless designation imposed by the Trump Administration in its final days in January 2021, as per Fox News.

Massachusetts Lawmakers Urge Cuba Off Terror List

The President Of The United States Visits Poland

(Photo : Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
RZESZOW, POLAND - MARCH 25: US President Joe Biden meets with the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda on March 25, 2022 in Rzeszow, Poland. U.S. President Joe Biden meets with NATO allies as they coordinate reaction to Russia's war in Ukraine, which has entered its second month.

In their communication, the lawmakers pointed out that President Biden, during his tenure as Vice President under President Obama, had previously deemed the SSOT designation for Cuba as unwarranted. The letter contends that the Trump Administration's decision was both vindictive and long overdue for reassessment.

The lawmakers highlighted the existence of a bilateral cooperation agreement on counterterrorism between Cuba and the United States.

The Democrats further reminded President Biden of his campaign promises to review and potentially overturn some of the sanctions imposed by the Trump administration on Cuba. They underscored their support for the President's commitment to re-engage with Cuba, aligning with the policies initiated during the Obama-Biden administration.

The addition of Cuba to the SSOT list has significant consequences, as it hampers the country's ability to engage in international financial markets and limits its potential for global trade.

Lawmakers have raised concerns about the impact of these restrictions on Cuban society, leading to a significant number of people migrating to the United States due to economic hardships. They highlighted the impact of Cuba's ongoing presence on the SSOT list, which has worsened economic, health, and political instability, according to The Hill.

Democrats Urge Lift on Cuba's Economic Limits

When discussing the economic crisis in Cuba, the Democrats recognized various factors but emphasized the impact of restrictions and penalties resulting from the SSOT designation. The lawmakers argued that these restrictions are not in line with U.S. interests and called for their removal to help ease the economic burdens faced by the Cuban people.

The letter also raised concerns about the rationale for Cuba's inclusion on the SSOT list, specifically questioning the Trump Administration's allegations of Cuban support for terrorists in Colombia.

The lawmakers emphasized the appeals made by Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to remove Cuba from the list, indicating a wider international sentiment opposing the designation.

The letter emphasized President Biden's ongoing dedication to reevaluating Cuba policy, including that although there have been some changes since 2018, a considerable number of sanctions, including the SSOT designation, are still in place. The Democrats called on the President to speed up the review process and make bold moves to deliver on campaign pledges concerning Cuba.

As the Biden administration faces the complex decision of either perpetuating Cuba's economic stagnation or potentially engaging with its communist regime, the political implications of this call from Massachusetts Democrats add another layer to the ongoing debate surrounding US-Cuba relations, Mass Live reported.