Staff Reports
With merely six days remaining in his presidency, Joe Biden has chosen to rescind Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. The decision raises eyebrows, particularly regarding who is actually calling the shots in the Biden administration. This latest act seems to ignore not only a rich history of Cuba’s support for terrorism but also the fact that the previous administration took a staunch stance against the oppressive regime in Havana.
Under the leadership of Miguel Díaz-Canel, who succeeded Raul Castro, Cuba’s president has made bold claims about not funding or supporting terrorism. However, history is not a mere collection of press releases. The Biden administration’s move is documented in an official memorandum that includes assurances from the Cuban government—assurances that are as reliable as a weather forecast in Chicago in April. Just months prior to this decree, Cuba had been knee-deep in a historical record of providing refuge and support to various terrorist organizations.
"Biden" (or someone signing his name to things) just issued an Executive Order revoking National Security Presidential Memorandum 5 and rescinding Cuba's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism pic.twitter.com/IR14HYZ5C4
— Jennifer Van Laar (@jenvanlaar) January 14, 2025
The rescinding of Cuba’s designation reverberates through policies that were carefully structured by the Trump administration. These policies, encapsulated in National Security Presidential Memorandum 5, emphasized human rights, economic freedom, and support for the Cuban people against their oppressive government. The objectives were clear: to undermine the exceptionalism of the Castro regime by promoting values that reflect true democracy and prosperity. Yet, with a simple stroke of the pen, Biden has rolled back all that progress, opting instead for a misguided détente with a regime that has long snubbed the values Americans hold dear.
To add to the senselessness, echoes of the dubious “Havana Syndrome” incident from 2016 linger in the background. Suspected to be the result of directed energy weapons, this strange phenomenon seemingly got lost in the reams of Biden’s policy flip-flopping. Did the president forget about Cuba’s considerable record of destabilizing activities around the world? Among those were military interventions, such as in Angola, where Cuban troops supported Marxist ideology while opposing democratic forces.
Cuba’s history of harboring American fugitives only underscores the absurdity of re-engaging with this communist regime. Notorious figures like Assata Olugbala Shakur, a convicted cop killer, have found sanctuary in Cuba for decades. It is baffling how the Biden administration, in its quest for international goodwill, can ignore such glaring examples of Cuba’s treachery. The decision to rescind Cuba’s classification as a state sponsor of terrorism signals that the current administration may prioritize political optics over protecting American values and security interests.
In a world where the perception of strength can be just as important as actual power, Biden’s actions appear to send the message that the U.S. is willing to overlook dangerous threats for the sake of diplomacy. This is a reminiscent blunder that may very well haunt future generations should the regime in Cuba return to its old ways. By reversing policies designed to hold the Cuban government accountable, Biden has traded accountability for appeasement, leaving America’s interests at risk in the process.
