Uncle Sam just can’t seem to bury the hatchet:
This week the U.S. State Department published its annual list of state sponsors of terrorism, and once again it includes Cuba despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
Cuba, which has been on the list since 1982, was listed alongside Iran, Sudan and Syria as countries that have ‘repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism.’ It is telling, however, that the brief section on Cuba is less than 200 words, while at least three times as much content is devoted to each of the other countries on the list. The report also points out ‘there was no indication that the Cuban government provided weapons or paramilitary training to terrorist groups.’
It’s also notable that while the State Department names two terrorist organizations — the Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) — as having enjoyed support on the island in the past, it notes that the Cubans have played key roles in facilitating dialogue between both groups and the governments of Colombia and Spain. Both of these countries have expressed gratitude for Cuba’s cooperation.
If we want Cuba to continue opening up, the U.S. needs to open up to Cuba.