The Biden administration's announcement to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism has raised concerns and has been rejected by Latin American activists fighting for democracy, who believe that this measure will provide more resources and give Havana's repressors carte blanche to destabilize the region's democracies and consolidate the dictatorships of Nicaragua and Venezuela.

 

“Nicolás Maduro's dictatorship in Venezuela has greatly benefited from support from Havana, which has also contributed to widespread torture and repression. Another example of Cuban interference in Venezuela is Cuban President Díaz-Canel's assistance in the Venezuelan despot's January 10 coup against the Venezuelan electorate. Furthermore, Maduro's January 11 statements that the Cuban and Nicaraguan militaries would join forces with him to defend his unconstitutional regime. The Biden administration's unilateral concessions to the Cuban dictatorship only facilitate further interference and repression in Venezuela,” said Carlos Ponce, Executive Director of Consorcio Justicia.

 

“The Nicaraguan Freedom Foundation, as part of international civil society committed to the defense of human rights, democracy, and freedom, expresses its deep concern and condemnation of the decision by President Joe Biden's administration to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. This measure, far from contributing to an environment of freedom and justice in the region, reinforces the impunity of a dictatorial regime that for decades has oppressed its people and exported repressive ideologies that destabilize other nations,” said Félix Maradiaga, president of the foundation based in San José, Costa Rica.

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For more information, you can access the Center for a Free Cuba press release here.