ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Dominica Wednesday called on the United States to reverse “this unmerited and unjust listing of Cuba as a state which sponsors terrorism,” with Roseau saying it holds firmly that there is no evidence of state-sponsored terrorism acts being supported by Havana.
“The Commonwealth of Dominica notes with concern the continued inclusion of the Republic of Cuba on the United States State Department State Sponsors of Terrorism list, which identifies governments that actively support violent non-state actors involved in terrorist activities,” the government said in a statement.
Last week, Washington said it had removed Cuba from a short list of countries it alleges are “not cooperating fully” in its fight against terrorism.
A State Department cited the resumption of law enforcement cooperation between Cuba and the U.S. as one reason the previous designation was deemed “no longer appropriate.
“The department determined that the circumstances for Cuba’s certification as a ‘not fully cooperating country’ have changed from 2022 to 2023,” the official said.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump separately designated Cuba a state sponsor of terrorism just before leaving office, a jab that Cuba maintains has contributed to a severe economic crisis on the island and to shortages of food, fuel, and medicine.
In its statement, Dominica said that it “firmly holds that there is no evidence of state-sponsored terrorism acts being supported by the Government of Cuba and considers this an arbitrary classification intended to justify the decades-long economic embargo imposed on Cuba by the United States of America.
“Consequently, Dominica calls for the reversal of this unmerited and unjust listing of Cuba as a state which sponsors terrorism.”
Dominica said it was reiterating its call for the normalizing of relations with Cuba and the lifting of economic sanctions by the United States for the “enhanced peace, stability, and economic growth of the Cuban nation, which has made tremendous contributions to the development and welfare of the Caribbean region particularly in the areas of health, agriculture, and education.
“The Commonwealth of Dominica stands in solidarity with Cuba in its condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including acts that qualify as state-sponsored terrorism,” the government added.
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