Former Colombian President Ivan Duque (2018-2022) has made a bold statement, asserting that the "Cuban government has sponsored terrorism" in various regions. This declaration comes after the United States reaffirmed Cuba's position on the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
"It was the Cuban government that committed a crime by protecting the terrorists of the National Liberation Army (ELN) who planned and executed an attack that took the lives of 22 innocent young people at a training center in Colombia in 2019," Duque posted on his Facebook account. He also accused Havana of harboring members of the Central Command of the ELN.
"This is called sponsoring terrorism. These terrorists were requested by the Colombian justice system after a rigorous investigation process," Duque recalled. "There are many sycophants of Castro, Ortega, Chávez, and Maduro who are deluded by the authoritarian, repressive, and destructive drug of 21st-century socialism. But even if a terrorist dresses as a revolutionary, they remain a terrorist," he concluded.
Duque's Struggles with Cuban Regime
During his tenure, Duque had multiple confrontations with the Cuban regime, demanding accountability for the actions of guerrillas protected by Havana. In 2021, the Colombian government requested Cuba to provide details of an ELN-planned attack in Bogotá, information disclosed to Colombian authorities by the Cuban ambassador, José Luis Ponce. A day before this incident, Duque once again questioned the Cuban authorities about the status of the extradition request for the guerrillas remaining on the island.
On Wednesday, the White House removed Cuba from the list of "countries not fully cooperating with counterterrorism efforts," but maintained it on the list of state sponsors of terrorism. According to Washington, "cooperation in the fight against terrorism is possible, but we still believe there are actions being taken that support terrorist activities" by the island.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro defended the Havana regime and responded to his predecessor by stating, "Duque committed a great injustice against the Cuban people that is being rectified today. I congratulate President Biden for making a just decision: removing Cuba from the list of countries that support terrorism," Petro posted, somewhat mistakenly confusing the lists.
On Friday, May 17, the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also welcomed the Biden administration's decision through a statement, noting, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia welcomes the announcement by the United States Government regarding the exclusion of Cuba from the list of countries not fully cooperating in the fight against terrorism."
The Cuban regime demanded on Wednesday that the United States remove it from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, citing the sanctions that affect the island.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Involvement in Terrorism
This section addresses common questions and provides detailed answers regarding Cuba's alleged support for terrorism, as highlighted by Ivan Duque and the ongoing diplomatic tensions.
Why did Ivan Duque accuse Cuba of sponsoring terrorism?
Ivan Duque accused Cuba of sponsoring terrorism because he believes the Cuban government protected ELN terrorists who were responsible for a deadly attack in Colombia in 2019.
What actions did the Cuban government allegedly take to support terrorists?
The Cuban government allegedly provided protection and sanctuary to members of the ELN, including those who planned and executed terrorist attacks in Colombia.
How has the United States responded to Cuba's alleged terrorism support?
The United States has kept Cuba on its list of state sponsors of terrorism but removed it from the list of countries not fully cooperating with counterterrorism efforts.
What was President Gustavo Petro's stance on Cuba's terrorism allegations?
President Gustavo Petro defended the Cuban regime, congratulating President Biden for removing Cuba from one of the terrorism-related lists and criticizing Ivan Duque for his accusations.