On the first day on duty, President Donald Trump placed again Cubadesignation as a state sponsor of terrorism, reversing an executive order issued last week by former President Joe Biden.

Biden announced plans to raise the flag as part of an agreement on the release of political prisoners in Cuba mediated by the Vatican.

Following that announcement, Cuban authorities began releasing prisoners, including some arrested during the 2021 protests, due to economic hardship and government policies.

Among those freed is 24-year-old Reyna Yacnara Barreto Batista, who served a four-year sentence for public order and peace.

Barreto Batista told the AP that she and eight others were released from prison in Camagüey, although officials warned them that their release was conditional on good behavior.

The Cuban government said it planned to gradually release 553 prisoners, framing the move as part of the Vatican’s 2025 jubilee celebrations, which are not directly linked to the US actions.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez criticized the reinstatement of the terrorism designation, calling it a “tool of political coercion” rather than a real effort to fight terrorism.

Reversal of Mr. Trump is in line with his administration’s hard-line attitude towards Cuba and they support him Secretary of State Marco Rubiowho has long advocated sanctions against that island nation.