Washington: The Cuban Regime “Did Not Fully Cooperate” in the Fight against Terrorism in 2024

MIAMI, United States – Washington has certified Cuba as a country that did not fully cooperate with U.S. efforts against terrorism during the year 2024, according to a statement issued by State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce on May 13.

“The Secretary of State determined and certified that Cuba did not fully cooperate with U.S. anti-terrorism efforts in 2024 and, therefore, must be designated as a ‘Not Fully Cooperating Country’ under Section 40A of the Arms Export Control Act,” the statement reads.

As a result of this certification, the United States prohibits the sale or licensing of defense articles and services to Cuba.

The main reason cited by Washington is the Cuban regime’s refusal to cooperate in the extradition of at least 11 U.S. fugitives accused of various terrorism-related crimes. “The Cuban regime made it clear that it was not willing to discuss their return to face justice in our country,” the official statement adds.

In the same vein, the State Department’s Country Reports on Terrorism (CRT), released at the end of 2024, continues to list Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism. The report notes that Havana harbors several fugitives from U.S. justice wanted on charges related to political violence, some of whom have been sheltered for decades.

According to this official U.S. document, Cuba has a long-standing record “of providing advice, safe haven, communications, training, and financial support to guerrilla groups and individual terrorists,” which was the basis for its original inclusion on the list in 1982. Although it was briefly removed in 2015, it was re-designated as a state sponsor of terrorism in 2021.

Specifically, the U.S. has repeatedly cited Cuba’s refusal to extradite leaders of the National Liberation Army (ELN), who were responsible for a terrorist attack in Colombia in 2019 that killed 22 people and injured 87. “The Cuban government did not formally respond to extradition requests for ELN leaders Víctor Orlando Cubides (alias ‘Pablo Tejada’) and Ramírez Pineda (alias ‘Pablo Beltrán’),” the report specifies.

In addition to Cuba, Secretary Rubio also certified North Korea, Iran, Syria, and Venezuela as countries that are not fully cooperating in the fight against terrorism.

This certification adds to the existing restrictions stemming from Cuba’s inclusion on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, which includes strict export controls, financial limitations, and additional visa processing requirements.

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