We are outraged to see that the Trump Administration has once again added Cuba to the list of State Sponsors of Terror. This is a politicized move that has one goal: to place obstacles in the path of diplomatic engagement and normalization that the incoming administration has pledged to pursue. It is particularly shameful for the Trump Administration to make evidence-free accusations of terrorism against Cuba just days after a mob of their supporters, including dangerous far-right extremists, attacked our own Capitol.

We are grateful that prominent members of the House and Senate have strongly condemned this move, including Sen. Patrick Leahy and Rep. Gregory Meeks, the new Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Cubans on the island and in the U.S. are the primary victims of moves by the Trump administration to reverse critical policies that promoted normalization of relations with Cuba and its people. Every time a presidential administration works to reinforce the embargo, the people of Cuba and their families in the U.S. suffer the inhumane consequences — made even worse now by the effects of the global pandemic.

The path forward with Cuba is one of engagement and normalization that works to heal the relationship between our two nations and Cubans on the island and here in the United States. Perpetuating the myth that Cuba is a threat to the US American people — while minimizing the threat posed by far-right extremists at home — is an embarrassment to our country on the world stage.. hypocritical. It is clear that the far-right in our own country poses a far greater threat to the United States than the people of Cuba.

We call on the incoming Biden Administration to commit to an immediate reversal of this move and a return to the path of engagement and normalization.