A senior US official said that the Trump administration is putting Cuba back on the list of countries considered sponsors of terrorism, canceling a move that the Obama administration took in 2015 to melt relations with the Cold War opponent.
The reorganization, which will be announced Monday, could complicate President-elect Joe Biden’s efforts to improve relations with Havana. It is the latest in a series of foreign policy steps the administration has taken in recent days to try to constrain policies before leaving office.
The list of the State Department to which Cuba is added includes Syria, Iran and North Korea. Cuba was removed from that list in 2015 as the Obama administration He sought to build relationships With the state, as part of a campaign that included promoting commercial air travel, reopening embassies and President Obama’s visit to the country.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is expected to argue that the move is justified because Cuba gave sanctuary to an American convicted of killing a soldier in New Jersey in 1973 and citing other complaints against the Cuban government.
An official management statement explaining the decision is expected later on Monday.
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