U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced no policy changes towards Cuba before President Biden leaves office. This follows Cuba’s reinstatement on the terror list by former President Trump, a status upheld by Biden, contributing to long-standing economic sanctions against the island.
In a press conference on October 12, 2023, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicated that no changes to U.S. policy regarding Cuba are expected prior to President Joe Biden’s departure from office on January 20, 2025. His remarks came in response to a question regarding the potential removal of Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation that imposes stringent economic sanctions on the island nation.
Since 1960, the U.S. has maintained an economic, commercial, and financial blockade against Cuba, compounded by Cuba’s inclusion on the terrorism list. The island was removed from this list between 1982 and 2015 during President Barack Obama’s administration but was reinstated by President Donald Trump just days before he left office in 2021. Following this reinstatement, President Biden has continued the policy without alteration, keeping Cuba in an unfavorable position internationally.
Secretary Blinken’s statement reflects the current administration’s stance that there will be no substantial policy change concerning Cuba until after the upcoming presidential transition. This continuation of existing policies indicates a persistent alignment with historical approaches to U.S.-Cuba relations, particularly regarding economic sanctions and the listing of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Original Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com
