US removes Cuba from terror blacklist

In a further step towards normalised relations, Washington has removed Cuba from its list of states that sponsor terrorism, paving the way for restoration of full diplomatic ties and the reopening of embassies.

The state department’s decision to remove Cuba from the terror blacklist after more than three decades follows president Barack Obama’s announcement in December of plans to end a half-century of enmity between the countries.

Talks have taken place since then, both in Washington and Havana, with a view to moving on from the cold war-era rivalry and reopening a US embassy in the Cuban capital for the first time since 1961.

"While the United States has significant concerns and disagreements with a wide range of Cuba's policies and actions, these fall outside the criteria relevant to the rescission of a 'state sponsor of terrorism' designation," said a state department spokesman.

Cuba was added to the list in 1982 after the US accused it of supporting terrorist groups in Latin America, including the Revolutionary Armed Forced of Colombia, better know as Farc.

Just three countries remain on the American terror list: Iran, Sudan and Syria.