President Biden speaks at the 115th NAACP National Convention at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on July 16, 2024 in Las Vegas. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
"Secondly, we notified Congress that the President issued a waiver for Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, otherwise known as the Libertad Act, for a period of six months. Finally, President Biden rescinded the 2017 National Security Presidential Memorandum 5 on Cuba policy to eliminate the so-called 'restricted list' and by extension the additional regulations on engagement by U.S. persons and entities with Cuban persons and entities, beyond that which is currently prescribed in U.S. legislation," she noted. "We have also been informed by the Catholic Church that the Cuban government will soon begin releasing a substantial number of political prisoners."
Democrats are divided on the matter.
The chair of the Florida Democratic Party urged the administration to "reverse course immediately."
"I am disappointed at the Biden Administration's plan to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism," Nikki Fried said in a statement shared on the Florida Democratic Party's X feed. "We condemn in the strongest terms Cuba's removal from this list, as well as any possible lifting of economic sanctions, and call on the Biden Administration to reverse course immediately."
Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., also disagreed with the administration's decision.
"Do the majority of Cuban Americans support the removal of Cuba, an adversary of the US, from the list of state sponsors of terrorism? If the answer is ‘no,’ then why is the Biden Administration unnecessarily alienating Cuban Americans? I agree with the Florida Democratic Party here," the congressman posted.
Rep. Cathy Castor, D-Fla., declared in a statement, "Autocratic Cuba has failed its people, and I disagree with the President that sanctions should be lifted without an end to the Cuban regime's repression."
CHINA DENIES NEW REPORT LINKING CCP TO FOUR SITES IN CUBA ALLEGEDLY USED TO SPY ON THE US
A Cuban flag is seen near the U.S. Embassy to apply for a visa in Havana on Jan. 15, 2025. (ADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP via Getty Images)
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However, some Democrats have applauded the administration.
"I welcome the Biden administration's steps to remove Cuba from the state sponsor of terrorism list – a long overdue action that will help normalize relations with our neighbor," Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., said in a statement.
Alex Nitzberg is a writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/democrats-republicans-criticize-biden-admins-cuba-detente