US removes Cuba from list of countries deemed uncooperative in counter-terrorism efforts

(Patria) - Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday removed Cuba from the State Department's narrow list of countries it deems not fully cooperative against violent groups.

In a statement, the State Department stated that Blinken found that Cuban and US police are working together again on counter-terrorism and other efforts, AP reported.

The State Department listed Cuba as a "country not fully cooperating" in 2022, saying Cuba refused to engage with Colombia on extraditing members of the National Liberation Army group. However, Colombia later dropped arrest warrants for those members.

"Furthermore, the United States and Cuba continued their law enforcement cooperation in 2023, including in counter-terrorism efforts," the statement from Wednesday said.

The State Department, in accordance with US arms export laws, maintains a list of countries deemed not fully cooperative in counter-terrorism efforts. The US retained North Korea, Syria, Iran, and Venezuela on the list in Wednesday's decisions.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez confirmed the decision but said Washington could do more.

"The US has just recognized what is known to everyone, that Cuba fully cooperates in counter-terrorism efforts," Rodríguez said on X.

However, he added that "all political manipulation of this issue should cease and our arbitrary and unjust inclusion on the list of state sponsors of terrorism should end."