**Title: State Department Stuns Congress, Revealing Biden Is Not Reviewing Trump’s Terror Designation of Cuba**
**Introduction**
In a surprising turn of events, the State Department has revealed that President Biden’s administration has not yet begun the review process to overturn former President Trump’s designation of Cuba as a “State Sponsor of Terror.” This revelation came as a shock to members of Congress during a private briefing, as they had previously been assured that a review was underway. This article delves into the implications of this decision and its impact on U.S.-Cuba relations.
**Heading 1: Trump’s Controversial Decision to Designate Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terror**
Former President Donald Trump, in one of his final foreign policy acts, reversed the Obama administration’s determination that Cuba should no longer be considered a “State Sponsor of Terror.” This decision added Cuba back to the list, which has significant implications for the country’s international business and its already fragile economy.
**Heading 2: Biden Administration’s Pledge to Overturn Trump’s Designation**
The incoming Biden administration pledged to Congress that it would initiate the process to overturn Trump’s redesignation of Cuba. However, during a private briefing on Capitol Hill, State Department official Eric Jacobstein shocked members of Congress by revealing that the review process had not even begun. This means that Cuba cannot be removed from the list before mid-2024 at the earliest.
**Heading 3: Congress Expresses Fury Over Delayed Review Process**
During the briefing, Representative Jim McGovern inquired about the status of the review process. He was surprised to learn that the State Department had not launched the review, despite previous assurances that it was underway. Jacobstein suggested that there may have been a misunderstanding regarding a different review of sanctions policies. Members of Congress expressed their anger and frustration over this revelation.
**Heading 4: Biden’s Refusal to Review Cuba’s Status and its Implications**
President Biden’s decision not to review Cuba’s status as a State Sponsor of Terror is seen as a strong rebuke of the Obama administration’s efforts to normalize relations with Cuba. This decision has significant consequences for U.S.-Cuba relations and the Cuban economy, as the terror designation makes it difficult for Cubans to engage in international business.
**Heading 5: Colombia’s President Calls for Reversal of Trump’s Decision**
Colombian President Gustavo Petro, in a joint press conference with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, criticized the Trump administration’s decision to designate Cuba as a sponsor of terror. He highlighted that Colombia had requested Cuba’s assistance in hosting representatives from armed guerrilla movements as part of peace talks. Petro called for the reversal of this decision, describing it as an injustice.
**Heading 6: Uncertainty Surrounding the Review Process**
Despite public claims by Secretary Blinken that the State Department would continue to revisit Cuba’s designation, the private briefing left members of Congress uncertain about the actual status of the review process. The State Department declined to comment on the closed-door meeting or confirm whether a review was ongoing.
**Heading 7: Impact on Cuban Migration and Biden’s Border Policies**
The terror designation has had a detrimental effect on Cuba’s economy and has coincided with a surge in Cuban migration. Over 425,000 Cubans have fled to the United States in fiscal years 2022 and 2023, breaking previous records. Instead of addressing the root causes of migration from Cuba, the Biden administration has signaled support for Republican-backed border policies.
**Heading 8: Hopes for Policy Shift Dashed**
Hopes for a shift in U.S. policy towards Cuba have been fueled by misleading pledges from the State Department regarding the review process. Additionally, a semi-public moment captured on a hot mic, where President Biden expressed his intention to discuss Cuba with Senator Bob Menendez, a prominent Cuba hawk, has not materialized into any action.
**Conclusion**
The State Department’s revelation that President Biden’s administration has not initiated the review process to overturn Trump’s terror designation of Cuba has caused outrage among members of Congress. This decision marks a significant setback for U.S.-Cuba relations and undermines the Obama administration’s efforts to normalize relations with Cuba. The impact of this decision on the Cuban economy and the surge in Cuban migration remains a cause for concern.
