In a letter to the Democratic leader, the WCC representatives suggested that he be ‘moved by Christian faith and compassion’ to take steps to ease the burden of the Cuban people.
After almost 60 years of the embargo…, the question that must be asked is whether this continued embargo is worth it,’ they said in their letter.
The religious leaders reminded Biden that he supported, as vice president of the Barack Obama administration to rethink the policy towards the island and achieve a new commitment in that sense.
They underscored that this policy, promoted especially in Obama’s last term, eased sanctions, allowed direct flights between the two countries, and eased restrictions on U.S. citizens traveling and doing business in Cuba.
However, they regretted that former President Donald Trump reversed that strategy during his term and placed Cuba back on the unilateral list of countries that in the White House’s view are sponsors of international terrorism.
Their message advocates removing Cuba from the list of countries sponsoring terrorism, waving again the application of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, which Trump reactivated on May 2, 2019.
In turn, they propose to allow remittances, resume services at the U.S. Embassy in Havana, particularly consular services, among other demands.
