sparklesvm@... asked this question on 5/3/2000:

What is cuba's stand on terrorism in foreign policy issues? thank you.

jplaxe gave this response on 5/4/2000:

Hello and thanks for your question.

The answer depends on whether you mean official, public foreign policy or the covert, behind-the-scenes foreign policy. The answer also depends on how you define terrorism.

The US Department of State lists Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism. To quote from the 1999 report "Patterns of Global Terrorism":

"Cuba continued to provide safehaven to several terrorists and U.S. fugitives in 1999. A number of Basque ETA terrorists who gained sanctuary in Cuba some years ago continued to live on the island, as did several U.S. terrorist fugitives.

Havana also maintained ties to other state sponsors of terrorism and Latin American insurgents. Colombia's two largest terrorist organizations, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN), both maintained a permanent presence on the island. In late 1999, Cuba hosted a series of meetings between Colombian Government officials and ELN leaders. "

Some have commented that Cuba's decrease in support for terrorism and revolutionary movements is simply attributable to the economic decline that has continued since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989. This is one important factor that has to a significant decrease in Cuban support for terrorism. Whether there has also been a corresponding policy shift remains unclear.