The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has denounced what it called the unilateral declaration by the outgoing Donald Trump administration to designate Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism.

In a Wednesday (January 13) statement, the regional bloc noted that
Cuba’s international conduct does not in any way warrant that designation.

“This further attack on the country adversely affects its international standing and its social, human and economic development and is another misguided action in addition to the unproductive, unnecessary and illegal financial and economic embargo already imposed on this Caribbean nation by the United States,” the regional body contended.

“CARICOM calls for the immediate review and reversal of these unjustified actions taken in regard to Cuba and looks forward to the United States moving towards normalising relations with Cuba,” the 15-member organisation continued.

The Trump administration on Monday (January 11) announced it was returning Cuba to the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, a move that could complicate any efforts by the incoming Biden administration to revive Obama-era detente with Havana.

In response, Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned “in the strongest and most absolute terms” what it said was the fraudulent qualification of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, announced by the United States government “in a cynical and hypocritical act”.

See related stories below:

• Trump returns Cuba to US list of state sponsors of terrorism
• Cuba rejects America’s claim it is a state sponsor of terrorism