The Trump Administration announced today that Cuba has been re-included on the list of countries that “do not fully cooperate with anti-terrorism efforts” (NFCC), imposing new sanctions on the island.<\/p>\n
“This certification entails a prohibition on the sale or licensing of defense articles and services to Cuba,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated in a release<\/a>.<\/p>\n In addition to Cuba, the list includes North Korea, Iran, Syria, and Venezuela.<\/p>\n With this decision, the Trump administration reverses the stance taken by its predecessor, Joe Biden (2021\u20132025), who had removed Cuba from the NFCC last May after resuming police cooperation with Havana on counterterrorism matters.<\/p>\n The State Department justified Tuesday’s measure by stating that “in 2024, the Cuban regime did not fully cooperate with the United States in the fight against terrorism” by harboring “at least 11 American fugitives from justice.”<\/p>\n “The Cuban regime made it clear that it was unwilling to negotiate their return to face justice in our country,” Bruce added.<\/p>\n Beyond the NFCC list, the U.S. also maintains Cuba on its list of State Sponsors of Terrorism<\/a>.<\/p>\n Just days before leaving office, Biden removed the island from this category \u2014which also carries severe sanctions\u2014 but Trump reinstated it upon returning to the White House.<\/p>\n A group of UN experts said last February that the decision to return Cuba to the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism is illegal and a setback for Cubans’ human rights, with a particularly harsh impact on the most vulnerable groups.<\/p>\n