Trump administration cuts off military ties to Cuba over lack of terrorism cooperation

The Trump administration has delivered a significant blow to Cuba, cutting off military ties with the communist island and declaring it has failed to comply with U.S. counterterrorism efforts.

The announcement Tuesday by the State Department returns Cuba -- after a brief reprieve-- to a list of other notorious countries like Iran, North Korea and Venezuela deemed to have failed the legal requirements of Section 40A of the U.S. Arms Export Control Act. The designation terminates any military contracts and assistance.

State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said Cuba specifically failed to engage on U.S.  requests last year for assistance apprehending 11 suspects, many with terrorism ties.

"In 2024, the Cuban regime did not fully cooperate with the United States on counterterrorism," Bruce said.  "There were at least 11 U.S. fugitives from justice in Cuba, including several facing terrorism-related charges, and the Cuban regime made clear it was not willing to discuss their return to face justice in our nation. "

"The Cuban regime’s refusal to engage on this important issue, as well as other recent circumstances of non-cooperation on terrorism-related law enforcement matters, made efforts to cooperate on counterterrorism issues futile in 2024," she added.