On January 14, just days before leaving office, U.S. President Joe Biden announced that Cuba would be removed from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Cuba was first added to the list in 1982 during President Reagan’s administration. It was removed in 2015 under President Obama. However, in January 2021, President Donald Trump reinstated Cuba on the list, alongside North Korea, Iran, and Syria.
President Biden’s decision followed a thorough review, during which it was determined that Cuba no longer met the criteria for inclusion. “The Cuban government has not supported international terrorism in the past six months and has pledged not to do so in the future,” Biden explained.
This move is seen as a step toward improving diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Cuba, and it could help stabilize the Caribbean region. The change is also expected to benefit tourists traveling to the U.S.
Previously, since Cuba’s re-listing in 2021, people who had visited Cuba were not eligible for the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). As a result, these travelers were required to apply for a B1/B2 visa to enter the U.S. This restriction stemmed directly from Cuba’s status as a state sponsor of terrorism.
With the removal of this designation, travelers who visited Cuba after 2021 can now apply for ESTA again, streamlining the process for U.S. entry.
However, U.S. authorities have not yet confirmed when this change will take effect. The official ESTA website still indicates that travelers who visited Cuba after January 12, 2021, must apply for a visa, as they remain ineligible for the Visa Waiver Program under the current rules.
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