The Workers’ Party welcomes, at long last, the decision of US President Joe Biden to remove Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list.

It is a most welcome development as Cuba, itself a victim of the most outrageous acts of terrorism by the USA, should never have been on the list in the first place. Since the overthrow of the dictator Batista and the creation of a socialist state in 1959, all Cuba has exported has been hope, idealism, and humanitarian aid without discrimination.

The Workers’ Party, however, condemns President Biden for his craven political cowardice in wasting four years, and delaying until he is practically walking out the front door of the White House, before he took this action. This has led to four years of unnecessary suffering for the Cuban people, which led to many deaths especially during 2021, the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Biden should have reverted to the policy of openness with Cuba which was taking place under President Obama when he was Vice-President, rather than sit on his hands and allow this illogical and vindictive Trump-era decree fester for the last four years.