Top Impacts of Cuba Being Removed From "Terrorism List"

As you know, the President made a big announcement back in December, 2014 that the US would take historic steps to chart a new course in our diplomatic relations with Cuba. One specific action item was instructing the Secretary of State to immediately launch a review of Cuba’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, and provide a report to the President within six months regarding Cuba’s support for international terrorism.

Within four months of the President's announcement, on April 8, 2015 (2 months early!), the Secretary of State finalized their review and recommended that Cuba no longer be designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.  Thereafter, on April 14, the President sent Congress the statutorily required report indicating the Administration’s intent to rescind Cuba’s State Sponsor of Terrorism designation, including the certification that "Cuba has not provided any support for international terrorism during the previous six-months; and that Cuba has provided assurances that it will not support acts of international terrorism in the future." Members of Congress, initially vowing to block the removal of Cuba from the "terrorism list" had no legal outlet to voice their opposition, and as of today, the 45-day Congressional pre-notification period has expired. As a result, the Secretary of State has officially made the final decision to rescind Cuba’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, effective today, May 29, 2015.

The Department of State issued a Press Statement today advising that:

The rescission of Cuba’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism reflects our assessment that Cuba meets the statutory criteria for rescission. 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

Below are the top 4 impacts I foresee as a result of Cuba being removed from the State Sponsor of Terrorism List (leaving only Iran, Sudan, and Syria now on the list):

Hear How Companies are SUCCESSFULLY Doing Business with Cuba - May 14, 2015

Are you in South Florida and thinking of doing business with Cuba? Do you want to hear from those already successfully doing business with Cuba? Do you want to fully understand what is legal now? 

May 14, 2015, I have JUST the event for you! This is your LAST CHANCE to register!

You'll get a snapshot of the important revisions to the regulations and what travel and trade is legal now. 

Want to understand how companies are taking advantage of the revised regulations? 

You'll hear from IDT, who successfully entered into an agreement with Cuba's Empresa de Telecomunicaciones  de Cuba S.A. to provide direct international long distance to Cuba. Get a sneak peak of what IDT will do next.

You'll also hear from Cargill who is helping take the lead urging an end to the Cuba trade restrictions. Cargill has successfully traded agricultural commodities to Cuba for years now - you'll learn how they do it and what they hope for future trade.

Additionally, Roots of Hope will discuss its vast efforts to bring technology to the Cuban people including its recent hackathon at Facebook. 

The event will take place May 14, 2015 at the Riviera Country Club in Coral Gables, Florida from 11:30-1:30 pm. Register Today. 

In Tampa? Meet the Expert May 12, 2015

I'm proud to participate in America's SBDC's "Meet the Expert" seminar on May 12, 2015. If you are in Tampa, you won't want to miss this seminar. It will take place from 3:30-5:30 PM at the FSBDC at the University of South Florida, Port Tampa Bay Building, and will cover the following HOT Topics in International Law: