The decision is likely to be reversed by the incoming Trump administration. Sen. Marco Rubio, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for secretary of state whose family fled Cuba in the 1950s, supports strong sanctions on Havana's Communist regime.

President Joe Biden has notified Congress of his intent to lift the U.S. designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, the White House announced, as part of a deal facilitated by the Catholic Church to free political prisoners on the island.

The Biden administration removed Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism on Tuesday, prompting Cuba to release hundreds of political prisoners.