The Obama administration's decision to axe Cuba from its infamous list of state sponsors of terrorism was met with praise from around the world on Wednesday.
The White House's Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes explained the decision pretty simply:
Put simply, POTUS is acting to remove #Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list because Cuba is not a State Sponsor of Terrorism
In Havana the announcement was met with relief, with many people spotted wearing clothing with the American flag on it in recent days.
"We are not terrorists, just the opposite. We are supporters of peace and tranquillity, and good things for all," resident Erlinda Geroncelle told the Associated Press.
"It's time that Obama realised that Cuba is not what they say the world over. It's time to re-establish ties between Cuba and the United States," local Sara Pino told Reuters.
Ted Piccone, a senior fellow at the Brookings institute and expert on Latin America, wrote in a blog post that the decision means "the Americas may be entering an unprecedented era of peace and cooperation."
"The President's decision to remove Cuba from the dreaded U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism is further demonstration that Obama is convinced that U.S. interests in Cuba are best served through constructive engagement and not onerous sanctions," Piccone wrote.
"Obama will now have to persuade his colleagues in Congress that Cuba is no longer the threat it was in the past," he wrote.
Many people on Twitter said the move was long overdue.
Obama endorses removing #Cuba from #terrorism List http://t.co/LlB3q63rm1 via @smh Finally some progress is being made.
Some criticized the original decision to place Cuba on the list.
#CUBA HAS NEVER BEEN A TERRORIST STATE. .... #US #ISRAEL #SaudiArabia ARE TERRORIST STATE.. https://t.co/8IccGrazst
Isn't it amazing?! When you act peacefully, people respond to it? Pro-US sentiments are sweeping #Cuba. Who woulda thunk it?! #CubaPolicy
"Cuba shouldn't be on the terrorist list, but in the list of the poorest of the world," this user wrote.
Cuba no debería estar en la lista de terroristas, sólo debe estar en la lista de pobres y cuna de chairismo mundial
Republican House Speaker John Boehner led the White House's detractors, saying in a statement he was disappointed at the President's decision.
"I'm disappointed that the White House seems to reward the Castro regime, which has a clear record of repression at home and exporting violence throughout the region," Boehner said.
Miami's local congresswoman, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, said she believes the Cuban government is still funding terrorism.
Told @CBSMiami that the #Castros are still supporting #terrorist regimes around the world + working 2 undermine our #nationalsecurity
The Republican said the move would only embolden the Castro regime.
Said on @nbc6 that #Obama's actions 2 remove #Cuba from #SST list will only hurt the millions suffering under #Castro
Cuba has been on the list since 1982 -- along with countries like Iran, Syria, and Sudan -- and Secretary of State John Kerry said times have changed.
"Circumstances have changed since 1982, when Cuba was originally designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism because of its efforts to promote armed revolution by forces in Latin America," Kerry said in statement on Tuesday.
"Our Hemisphere, and the world, look very different today than they did 33 years ago."
The announcement comes days after President Obama and his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro held a historic meeting at the Americas Summit in Panama. It was the first time in over 50 years the presidents of both countries held bilateral talks.
Cuba's top diplomat in charge of U.S. affairs, Josefina Vidal, said in a statement that the decision by the U.S. government was fair. She added that Cuba has been the victim of terrorism acts – costing the lives of thousands of Cuban citizens – and not a supporter of terror activities.