Cuba to release 553 prisoners as US removes terrorism designation
Cuba announced on Tuesday that they will be releasing 553 prisoners in response to the United States removing the communist country from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. The decision comes as President Joe Biden seeks to normalize relations with Cuba and undo policies put in place by former President Donald Trump.
The move to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism was a result of an assessment carried out by the Biden administration, which found no evidence to support the designation. However, this decision is expected to be reversed when Trump returns to office next week.
Cuba welcomed the move as a positive step, but expressed disappointment that they are still under US sanctions dating back to 1962. The country’s economy is in crisis due to shortages of essential goods and services, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and mismanagement by the government.
Protests erupted in Cuba in July 2021, with thousands taking to the streets demanding freedom and economic reform. The government responded by arresting over 1,500 people, with 600 still in prison as of last December.
President Miguel Diaz-Canel has criticized US sanctions as “genocidal” and expressed readiness for dialogue with the new administration. However, the move to release prisoners and remove Cuba from the terrorism list has faced backlash from Republican lawmakers, who view it as appeasement of the Cuban regime.
The Biden administration also announced that they would be waiving certain provisions of the US embargo on Cuba, allowing for more engagement between the two countries. The decision to normalize relations with Cuba is part of Biden’s efforts to undo Trump-era policies and foster diplomatic ties with the country.
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