On April 30, Brian Nichols, the U.S. Undersecretary of State for the Western Hemisphere, conducted a press conference in Miami, Florida.[i]
He said, “The list of countries sponsoring terrorism is not something we can negotiate ; it is a legal process of analysis within various Government departments that finally reaches the Secretary of State for designation. The importance of respecting people’s rights is a different issue.”
He also said that the Biden Administration does not see a fracture in the power leadership of the Cuban regime. “I think instead of speculating after 60 years of that it’s better to focus on the government’s actions.”
On another topic, Nichols mentioned some of the possible Cuban changes that the US and the international community would see as a gesture of goodwill: “They can implement policies that allow more democracy, more freedom of expression. Release the political prisoners they hold, allow peaceful expression and differences with the Government. Allowing broader private economic activities. All of this would be a favorable change for the Cuban people and would be something very welcome by the international community.”
[i] Brian A. Nichols: ‘the removal of Havana from the list of state sponsors of terrorism is not negotiated, Diario de Cuba (May 1, 2024).