DeLauro Applauds State Department’s Removal Of Cuba From State-Sponsored Terror List

NEW HAVEN, CT—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) released the following statement today applauding the State Department’s announcement they have removed Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Earlier this month DeLauro led 43 members of Congress in supporting the Administration’s decision to take this action.

“I am pleased the State Department has removed Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Doing so is consistent with our efforts to normalize relations with our neighbors. The world is a very different place today than it was 33 years ago when Cuba was first added, and the time has long passed for us to move beyond failed policies that do nothing to advance U.S. interests in the region.

“Branding Cuba a State Sponsor of Terrorism forced us to divert resources from countries and regions where counter-terrorism efforts are critical, and it was a barrier to solving real issues through full diplomatic engagement with the Cuban government directly. Today’s actions are a positive step forward, but we must remove the trade embargo to better promote the interests of both American and Cuban citizens.”

According recent polling data, nearly two-thirds of Americans, and 97 percent of Cubans, support President Obama’s efforts to reestablish diplomatic relations with Cuba.


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