The United States has removed Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism and eased certain economic sanctions against the country, Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.
According to the statement, the easing of sanctions includes the outgoing US administration lifting the list of restricted Cuban entities, which previously designated institutions with which US citizens and institutions were prohibited from conducting financial transactions. This move, the ministry noted, ends specific measures that, along with many others, have severely harmed Cuba’s economy and had a significant impact on its population.
However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the economic blockade and the majority of the dozens of measures imposed since 2017 remain in place, including sanctions on fuel supplies and financial transactions connected to Cuba.
Moreover, American citizens, companies, or subsidiaries of US corporations are still prohibited from trading with Cuba or Cuban entities, with very limited and regulated exceptions. Cuba also remains a restricted destination for US citizens, as determined by the American administration.
Despite these restrictions, Cuba will continue to pursue a respectful relationship with the US, based on dialogue and non-interference in the internal affairs of both nations, the official statement from Havana concluded.
Additionally, Cuban authorities, as part of their close and fluid relations with the Vatican, informed Pope Francis that they are releasing 553 individuals convicted of various crimes. This follows the release of over 10,000 prisoners in Cuba from 2023 to 2024 under different legal benefit schemes, according to the statement.