The immediate past Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has expressed optimism that Cuba will be delisted from the United States list of state sponsors of terrorism soon.
The two-term governor of Osun State noted that Cuba is well known for its humanitarian gestures, adding that lots of countries, including Nigeria, have benefited from Cuba’s philanthropic gestures.
Aregbesola was commenting on the removal of Cuba from the countries ‘not cooperating fully’ with the United States of America’s anti-terrorist efforts.
According to the Miami Herald, a certification sent to Congress by Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, noted that the State Department determined that “the circumstances for Cuba’s certification as a ‘not fully cooperating country’ have changed from 2022 to 2023,” and that the department is no longer keeping Cuba on that list.
However, Cuba remains on a separate list of state sponsors of terrorism, also kept by the State Department.
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According to reports, Cuba was first designated a so-called sponsor of terrorism in 1982 for backing liberation movements like the ANC and SWAPO and supporting revolutionary governments like the Sandinista in Nicaragua.
But the USA, under President Barack Obama, on April 14, 2015, after reviewing the classification of Cuba as a terrorist state, admitted it was political and unhelpful, thereby, removing Cuba from the list.
However, in the twilight of his administration, Cuba was re-listed on January 12, 2021, by former President Donald Trump, as he was reportedly livid with the country’s refusal to recognise Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s interim President.
Aregbesola, in a statement on Friday, said Cuba has helped a lot of countries, including Nigeria.
Aregbesola noted that Cuba is not a terrorist country and does not involve itself in acts that are dangerous to others.
He said, “The USA removing Cuba from the countries ‘not cooperating fully’ with its anti-terrorist efforts is a first step to many, and I’m optimistic that Cuba will be delisted from the list of state sponsors of terrorism soon.
“Having visited the country many times, I cannot but acknowledge her humanitarian gestures to other countries, including Nigeria.
“Cuba was there in helping to contain Ebola in Africa, and her giant contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be overemphasised.”
