Democrats and Republicans criticize the Biden administration’s détente in Cuba

The Biden administration faces opposition from both sides of the political aisle for crossing Cuba off the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

USA slapped Cuba tagged 2021 shortly before then-President Donald Trump left office.

In a statement released Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre noted that the administration is “taking several steps to support the Cuban people as part of an understanding with the Catholic Church under the leadership of Pope Francis and to improve the lives of Cubans.”

“First, today we notified Congress that President Biden has decided that Cuba should no longer be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism,” she continued.

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“Second, we notified Congress that the President had issued a waiver for Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, otherwise known as Libertad act, for a period of six months. Finally, President Biden rescinded the 2017 Presidential National Security Memorandum 5 on Cuba Policy to end the so-called ‘restricted list’ and by expanding additional regulations on the cooperation of US persons and entities with Cuban persons and entities, beyond what is currently prescribed in American legislation,” she noted. “We have also been informed by the Catholic Church that the Cuban government will soon begin releasing a significant number of political prisoners.”

Democrats are divided on the issue.

The chairman of the Florida Democratic Party called on the administration to “reverse course immediately.”

“I am disappointed in the Biden administration’s plan to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism,” Nikki Fried said in a statement posted on the Florida Democratic Party’s X feed. “We condemn in the strongest terms the removal of Cuba from this list, as well as any possible lifting of economic sanctions, and call on the Biden administration to reverse course immediately.”

U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., also disagreed with the administration’s decision.

“Do a majority of Cuban Americans support the removal of Cuba, an adversary of the US, from the list of state sponsors of terrorism? If the answer is ‘no’, then why is the Biden administration needlessly alienating Cuban Americans? I agree with the Florida Democratic Party here,” the congressman tweeted.

U.S. Rep. Cathy Castor, D-Fla., said in a statement: “Autocratic Cuba has failed its people, and I disagree with the president that sanctions should be lifted without ending the repression of the Cuban regime.”

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Some Florida Republicans have issued harsh criticism.

Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., blasted Biden’s decision as “pathetic and cowardly.”

Rep. María Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., tweeted: “Once again the Democrats have BETRAYED the Cubans! Shame on the entire Biden administration for removing Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Cuba is a LEADING sponsor of terrorism. Terrorism, hiding, training and training Hamas, Hezbollah and other terrorist enemies of the US.”

Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis also blew up the administration.

“The Biden administration continues its quest to leave behind as much rubble as possible on its way out. Cuba should not be removed from the list of state sponsors of terrorism,” he said in a post on X.

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But some Democrats applauded the administration.

“I applaud the Biden administration’s steps to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism – a long overdue action that will help normalize relations with our neighbor,” said Rep. Ilhan OmarD-Minn., the statement said.