Overview
On May 29, 2015, Secretary of State John Kerry officially rescinded Cuba’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, which had been in effect since 1982. The rescission followed a 45-day congressional period triggered on April 14, when President Obama transmitted to Congress a report indicating the Administration’s intent to remove Cuba from the terror sponsor list. The White House and Department of State have announced the rescission in separate web postings.
As we have previously noted, Cuba’s removal from the state sponsor list likely will not materially alter the current sanctions or export control restrictions on that country in the near term, whether in terms of dual-use goods, munitions or other dealings, although it marks a key turning point in diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba. If those relations continue to progress, it is possible that the US Government will further ease its embargo against Cuba. We have previously summarized the Obama Administration’s limited easing of the embargo in January.