Trump administration plans to return Cuba to list for state-sponsored terrorism

Pompeo is expected to tie the decision to Cuba’s long-time harboring of U.S. fugitives.

Published: January 11, 2021 2:48pm

Updated: January 11, 2021 7:34pm

The Trump administration plans to return Cuba to the United States' list of state sponsors of terrorism, according to several news reports.

The move is set to be announced as early as Monday by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a source told Reuters. The change would come just days before Democrat Joe Biden officially become president and if enacted would complicate his foreign policy efforts.

Pompeo is expected to tie the decision to Cuba’s long-time harboring of U.S. fugitives and Colombian rebel leaders, the source also told the wire service.

In 2015, then-President Obama formally remove Cuba from the terrorism list. Biden was the vice president in the Obama administration for both terms.