New Senate Measure Opposes Removing Cuba From Terrorism List

Florida Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott introduced a resolution this month opposing the removal of Cuba from the State Department’s state sponsors of terrorism list.

The resolution from the two Republicans outlines a host of concerns about Cuba’s ties to terrorism, such as its “mutually supportive relationships” with groups the U.S. has designated as foreign terrorist organizations, including Hamas, Hezbollah and Colombia’s National Liberation Army.

The resolution also encourages the U.S. trade representative to begin consultations with Mexico and other countries that use doctors and nurses sent abroad by the Cuban regime against their will.

The measure was referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Fla., introduced a similar resolution in July (see 2407150040). She said in June she’s worried the Biden administration intends to remove Cuba from the state sponsors of terrorism list, which subjects the country to certain sanctions and trade restrictions (see 2406280003). The administration has insisted it has no such plans.