State Department Blacklists Cuba for Not Cooperating With AECA

The State Department added Cuba to a list of countries that do not cooperate with U.S. counterterrorism efforts and the Arms Export Control Act, adding that it will block sales or licenses involving exports of defense goods to Cuba, the agency said May 13. This year marked the first time the U.S. recognized Cuba as not cooperating with the AECA since 2015, the agency said. Others on the list include Iran, North Korea, Syria and Venezuela.

The U.S. said Cuba refused requests by Colombia to extradite 10 members of Colombia’s National Liberation Army -- a Colombian group sanctioned by the Treasury Department in 2001. Cuba’s “refusal to productively engage with the Colombian government demonstrates” that it is not cooperating with the U.S. or the AECA, the State Department said. The U.S. also said Cuba harbors several U.S. fugitives.