One Year Can Make A Difference... Biden-Harris Administration Reports Cuba Is No Longer A "Not Fully Cooperating Country" Relating To "U.S. Counterterrorism Efforts." Precursor For More Changes?

United States Department of State
Washington DC
15 May 2024

"On May 15, the Secretary determined and certified under Section 40A(a) of the Arms Export Control Act that four countries – the DPRK, Iran, Syria, and Venezuela – are “not cooperating fully” with U.S. counterterrorism efforts (NFCC).

The Department determined that the circumstances for Cuba’s certification as a “not fully cooperating country” have changed from 2022 to 2023.  Therefore, the Department did not certify Cuba as a “not fully cooperating country” for calendar year 2023 under Section 40A of the Arms Export Control Act.

Cuba’s refusal to engage with Colombia on extradition requests for National Liberation Army (ELN) members supported Cuba’s NFCC certification for calendar year 2022.  In August 2022, pursuant to an order from Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s Attorney General announced that arrest warrants would be suspended against 17 ELN commanders, including those whose extradition Colombia had previously requested from Cuba.  Moreover, the United States and Cuba resumed law enforcement cooperation in 2023, including on counterterrorism.  Therefore, the Department determined that Cuba’s continued certification as a “not fully cooperating country” was no longer appropriate. 

This is NOT the same list as the State Sponsors of Terrorism. U.S. law establishes specific statutory criteria for rescinding an SST designation.  Any future review of Cuba’s status would be based on the law and criteria established by Congress."

Federal Register
Dated: May 8, 2023.
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State.
[FR Doc. 2023–10903 Filed 5–22–23; 8:45 am], BILLING CODE 4710–AD–P 

U.S. Department Of State Certifies Government Of Cuba Is "Not Cooperating Fully With United States Antiterrorism Efforts." May 23, 2023