Trump Adds Cuba Back to State Sponsors of Terrorism List

President Donald Trump this week revoked an order from former President Joe Biden that had removed Cuba from the State Department's state sponsors of terrorism list (see 2501140080 and 2501170021). Biden’s order, issued during his final days in office, was one of multiple “harmful” executive actions that Trump rescinded on his first day back as president on Jan. 20, the White House said. The move is expected to reimpose certain export restrictions on shipments of certain arms and dual-use items to the island, along with other trade prohibitions and restrictions.

Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized Trump’s move, saying it reinstates “ironclad economic war measures against” the island, according to an unofficial translation of a Jan. 21 statement. “The economic blockade, its reinforcement and the new aggressive measures will continue to weigh, with a very damaging effect, on our economy, the standard of living, the potential for development and the legitimate dreams of justice and well-being of the Cuban people, as has been the case in recent years,” the ministry said.