Bush And Obama Tell Biden To Do What?
A group of former U.S. diplomats and national security officials is urging the Biden administration to reconsider some of its policies toward Cuba, particularly as President Biden prepares to transition power to President-elect Trump. In a letter to the President and Vice President Kamala Harris, the former officials—including key figures like Vicki Huddleston, former Chief of Mission in Havana, and Ben Rhodes, former Deputy National Security Adviser—are calling for a series of policy changes to improve the lives of the Cuban people and enhance U.S. national interests.
The letter argues that Cuba’s worsening economic and humanitarian crisis, including rising malnutrition, a crumbling energy grid, and a massive exodus of Cuban migrants, calls for a change in U.S. policy. The officials stress that while the Cuban regime is responsible for much of the country’s suffering, current U.S. policies have only compounded the problem. “Cuban citizens are suffering,” the letter states, “and we believe that the U.S. must take action to relieve that suffering while protecting American interests.”
One of the key requests is the removal of Cuba from the U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism list, a designation added by President Trump in 2020. Critics of the move argue there is no credible evidence to support the claim that Cuba is a state sponsor of terrorism, and the designation has hurt Cuba’s access to international finance and humanitarian aid. The signatories believe that removing Cuba from the list would ease the economic strain on the island and address the root causes of the mass migration of Cubans.
The letter also calls for an increase in humanitarian aid to Cuba, specifically for food, medicine, and recovery efforts from recent natural disasters. Furthermore, they urge the Biden administration to allow greater access for Cuban nationals to the U.S. financial system without violating U.S. sanctions, which would provide crucial support to ordinary Cubans and small businesses.
Importantly, the letter emphasizes that continuing the tough, adversarial stance toward Cuba benefits only hardliners both in Havana and within Cuban-American communities in Florida who have entrenched positions against engagement with the island. The former officials argue that this approach only worsens the situation for the Cuban people, who deserve a chance at a better, freer future.
By focusing on humanitarian aid and practical steps to ease the financial hardship of the Cuban population, the letter advocates for policies that serve both U.S. interests and the well-being of the Cuban people. It concludes by urging the Biden administration to act decisively to address the worsening crisis just 90 miles from U.S. shores, a policy shift that could have long-term benefits for both nations.