In a critical step toward the normalization of relations between the two countries, the United States last week dropped Cuba from its list of State Sponsors of Terrorism. The decision removes an important obstacle to progress, but plenty of others remain.
It is difficult, if not impossible, to normalize relations with a country that is an active sponsor of terrorism. In several cases, however, the U.S. has done so with a government that has committed such acts, but is not currently doing so unless the definition of terrorism is stretched. Cuba may support governments that seek to defy Washington, but Havana no longer supports armed revolution. In fact, lifting the "sponsor of terrorism" label is largely symbolic since the U.S. imposes other embargoes and sanctions that have the same effect on trade and relations with Cuba. Still, the designation matters to Cubans for whom the symbolism is important.
Opponents of the Havana government have denounced the move, arguing that the U.S. is giving up critical leverage without getting anything in return. As Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John Boehner argued, "The communist dictatorship has offered no assurances it will address its long record of repression and human rights abuses." Boehner overlooks the illogic of his own argument: If the Cuban government has a long record of repression, then the sanctions afforded little leverage.