Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has written to US President Joe Biden, urging him to remove Cuba from the list of countries supporting terrorism.
In a letter made public on Thursday through a WhatsApp group moderated by Owei Lakemfa, a prominent labour activist, Obasanjo recalled Cuba’s significant contributions to ending colonialism and apartheid in Africa.
Obasanjo’s plea comes amid ongoing debates over Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, a status it has held intermittently since the Reagan administration.
Obasanjo’s letter reflects a deep historical connection with Cuba, tracing back to the era of its revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro. Castro, who led the Cuban Revolution in 1958, established a socialist state that often found itself at odds with the United States.
In his letter, Obasanjo emphasised Cuba’s support in the fight against colonialism and apartheid, stating, “I know and appreciate what contributions Cuba made to the final liquidation of colonialism and apartheid in Africa.”
Obasanjo’s sentiments are rooted in his own experiences and interactions with Cuba during Castro’s leadership. He described the country’s support for African liberation movements and its significant role in global anti-colonial struggles.
Cuba was first designated as a state sponsor of terrorism in 1982 during President Ronald Reagan’s administration. The designation was based on allegations that Cuba supported terrorist groups and harboured fugitives.
In 2015, the designation was lifted after a review found Cuba no longer met the criteria. However, in January 2021, the designation was reimposed by the Trump administration, citing Cuba’s support for terrorism and its harbouring of American fugitives.
Despite these sanctions, the United States remains a significant source of food and humanitarian aid for Cuba. In 2018, the US exported $220.5 million worth of food and $275.9 million in medical products to Cuba. Additionally, remittances from the US, estimated at $3.5 billion in 2017, are crucial for Cuba’s economy.
The relationship between the US and Cuba has been marked by economic sanctions and diplomatic tensions. Cuba’s economy, already strained by internal policies and the COVID-19 pandemic, has suffered under the weight of these sanctions, leading to shortages of essential goods.
In May 2024, Cuba was removed from the US list of countries “not fully cooperating” with counterterrorism efforts. This change came after renewed law enforcement cooperation between the US and Cuba. However, Cuba remains on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, facing ongoing economic penalties.
The Cuba Solidarity Campaign’s #OFFTHELIST movement advocates for Cuba’s removal from this list, highlighting the adverse effects of the designation on the Cuban people.
Obasanjo’s letter to President Biden represents a broader push for fairer US policies towards Cuba. It aligns with international advocacy efforts calling for a reevaluation of Cuba’s status and a reduction in sanctions.
