London, 27 June 2024- In a statement published on its X account, the Communist Party of Britain (CPB) called on President Biden to "tell the truth and remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism".
"Cuba is an example of diplomacy and peace (...) The listing has had a devastating impact on the lives of the Cuban people, preventing Cuba from using international banking systems and making it increasingly necessary to purchase basic necessities," the statement added.
With the exhortation to all friends of the island to sign the open letter of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign to the US Ambassador in London, the CPB concludes its statement, which was shared on social networks by the Communist Youth League.
We reproduce the full text (unofficial translation):
The United States must remove Cuba from the spurious list of state sponsors of terrorism.
In May 2024, the Secretary of State sent the US Congress a report of states that are allegedly "not fully cooperating" with US counter-terrorism efforts in 2023. This year, unlike in previous years, Cuba has not been mentioned.
However, the US State Department continues to include Cuba on a list designating states that allegedly "sponsor" terrorism. The very premise of the list is used as a pretext to impose coercive economic sanctions against sovereign countries, such as those applied to Cuba.
Cuba promotes peace, not terrorism. Cuba's inclusion on the list was due to the presence of Colombian guerrillas in Cuba while they were there to participate in official peace talks hosted by Cuba.
Last year, Trump's justification for Cuba's inclusion was made even more ironic by a ceasefire agreement between Colombian President Gustavo Petro and ELN rebel group commander Antonio García that was signed in Havana, facilitated by President Díaz-Canel.
Cuba leads on diplomacy and peace - former Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos called on Biden to remove Cuba from the list, saying: "Cuba should be applauded for the crucial role it played in helping to end decades of conflict and facilitate reconciliation in Colombia and should not face sanctions for having done so".
This listing has had a devastating impact on the lives of the Cuban people: it prevents Cuba from using international banking systems and makes it increasingly necessary to purchase necessities.
The US is fully aware that Cuba does not sponsor terrorism and is fully aware of the impact that putting Cuba on such a list has on millions of Cubans. President Biden has the opportunity to tell the world the truth and remove Cuba from this list.
We urge Britons to sign Cuba Solidarity's campaign @CubaSolidarity to the US Ambassador to the UK here: http://cuba-solidarity.org.uk/offthelist/