Biden to significantly relax Cuba sanctions in final days before Trump

[Chas.Alpha]

https://apnews.com/article/biden-cuba-terrorism-designation-a0e2f003ce7100e6a845ef7ed6e96a1b?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share

[El Presidente]

This is unlikely to last long 

 

 

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-lift-designation-cuba-state-sponsor-terrorism-ap-reports-2025-01-14/

Biden to significantly relax Cuba sanctions in final days before Trump

By Trevor Hunnicutt and Dave Sherwood

 

WASHINGTON/HAVANA, Jan 14 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will relax sanctions targeting long-time foe Cuba days before Donald Trump takes office in a broad set of steps on Tuesday that he expects to lead to release of political prisoners in Havana.

As part of the steps, Biden is reversing several hardline restrictions put in place by Trump, his predecessor and the president-elect. Those steps include notifying Congress of plans to lift the U.S. designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism and undoing a Trump order that had restricted some financial transactions with some military and government-tied Cubans, according to a senior administration official.

 

Biden was also set to suspend the ability of individuals to use U.S. courts to make claims for potentially confiscated property in Cuba following Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution, the official said.

The steps were connected to the expected release by Cuba of a "significant" number of political prisoners, following the communist-run government's talks with the Catholic Church.

Cuba faced sharp criticism from rights groups, the United States and the European Union following the imprisonment of hundreds of protesters after riots on July 11, 2021, the largest since Castro's revolution.

 

The announcements, just days before Biden leaves office, mark his first real break in policy from Trump-era sanctions that have contributed to one of Cuba's worst economic crises.

Trump may seek to revive the sanctions once in office.

But in the short term, Biden's new measures were expected to give Havana more space to maneuver as it battles a crippling economic crisis.

Trump placed Cuba on the U.S. State Sponsor of Terrorism list in 2021 in the final hours of his first term, saying Havana had repeatedly provided "support for acts of international terrorism" by harboring U.S. fugitives and Colombian rebel leaders.

 

[Edicion]

Forgive my lack of knowledge and this is a real question, they've had 4 years to do this. Why didn't they lift the sanctions in all those years and why now when the new incoming president might put a stop to it quickly? 

[El Presidente]

17 hours ago, Edicion said:

Forgive my lack of knowledge and this is a real question, they've had 4 years to do this. Why didn't they lift the sanctions in all those years and why now when the new incoming president might put a stop to it quickly? 

Politics...pure and simple.

Force Trump into a wedge. Reverse it or find a middle ground. 

[Habanoschris]

17 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Politics...pure and simple.

Force Trump into a wedge. Reverse it or find a middle ground. 

Well said, Agree 100% with this. Not as much about Cuban relations issue and more about posturing for a next political play.  

I'd also add speculation regarding where article says these moves may  "lead to release of political prisoners in Havana." If true, my guess is some of these political prisoners have ties to us agencies or their being released does party favor with individuals that do have such ties. This may be some "diplomacy" in action as well.   

[BrightonCorgi]

Biden had 4 years to do this if there was an once of sincerity behind it. This will be reversed in short order. This is a snub to Rubio and Trump.  Simple as that.

 

[VeguerosMAN]

It's all noise, just like SEC Gary Gensler going after Musk when his days are numbered.

[LizardGizmo]

I have mixed feelings. Aside from the prisoners being released - which is really good - it’s such a soft move to do this six days before inauguration. It sets Rubio up to be a Miami anti-Cuba hero right away and reverse it tenfold (according to Miami Herald, Rubio was directly involved in setting up sanctions that were specifically undone in this move). I was hoping the Cuba situation could remain off the agenda for maybe the first 100 days, but this might fast-track it. MH says the prisoner release will be gradual, so they might not even see release.

All-in-all, it should've been done two or three years ago when Biden said he was planning to be a one-term transitional president.

[Puros Y Vino]

It's becoming clear to me that every government, regardless of which Country, is basically playing its' citizens against each other.  It's like Pro-Wrestling.  You have the good guys (Faces) vs the bad guys (Heels). Blue vs Red if you like, or vice versa. Both put on a great show of good vs evil but in the end, they are working at the same goal. Making money for themselves and running things. This tactic is as old as civilization itself and it helps detract from the real struggles at the class level. Rich vs Poor. By offering up alternative, base grievances amongst the population to focus on each other vs those who run things. 

Watching Trump and Obama having a few laughs at Carters' ceremony is just a hint at what really goes on behind the scenes. The public forums of the Senate, House, etc are the wrestling rings for this performance. The real relationships are probably far more cordial and serene out of view. 

[Arabian]

It's a big club and you ain't in it.

[BrightonCorgi]

If you want a friend in Washington DC, get a dog.

[LizardGizmo]

Trump reversed all of this yesterday. 
 

https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/01/20/donald-trump-inauguration-day-news-updates-analysis/a-quick-reversal-on-cuba-00199531

[BrightonCorgi]

1 hour ago, LizardGizmo said:

Trump reversed all of this yesterday. 
 

https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/01/20/donald-trump-inauguration-day-news-updates-analysis/a-quick-reversal-on-cuba-00199531

Vegas wasn't taking bets on that one.

[BrightonCorgi]

Don't expect any softening towards Cuba. Rubio said today (paraphrasing) that the only thing he wants to talk to Cuba about is a new regime. No reason to speak on any other matter.

[El Presidente]

3 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Don't expect any softening towards Cuba. Rubio said today (paraphrasing) that the only thing he wants to talk to Cuba about is a new regime. No reason to speak on any other matter.

Hypothetical. 

Faux coup. Junior military apparently roll the old guard. Diaz and Co head in the private jet to Panama, Venezuela. 

Release of political prisoners (have to arrest them again first), new structure along Vietnam model. US investment welcome, some non important elections. Path to democracy painted as a long term aim. 

Same soup, different style. US admin gets a win/spin, Cuba military retains another decade to milk the system big with US investment. 

 

Odds...75:1 

I'll take $100 that it occurs before 2028. 

[BrightonCorgi]

8 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Hypothetical. 

Faux coup. Junior military apparently roll the old guard. Diaz and Co head in the private jet to Panama, Venezuela. 

Release of political prisoners (have to arrest them again first), new structure along Vietnam model. US investment welcome, some non important elections. Path to democracy painted as a long term aim. 

Same soup, different style. US admin gets a win/spin, Cuba military retains another decade to milk the system big with US investment. 

 

Odds...75:1 

I'll take $100 that it occurs before 2028. 

An accurate weather forecast is tomorrow will be similar to today.  The same for US - Cuba relations.   

[VeguerosMAN]

Will the Cuban government sell their country to the US if the price is right?  "Is my credit good enough to buy you out... your casino loses money, I think we can do better," Michael Corleone.

[99call]

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