(VOVworld) – The US government officially removed Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism on Tuesday.

Cuban President Raúl Castro (L) and US President Barack Obama shakes hands at the Summit of the Americas in Panama last week.

In a letter to the US Congress, President Barack Obama said Cuba’s government hasn’t provided support to international terrorism in the past six months, adding that Havana promises not to support acts of international terrorism in the future. Mr Obama said that keeping Cuba on the list has hurt the pride of the Cuban people and would be a major obstacle to normalising diplomatic ties. The removal paves the way for reopening embassies. The US Congress will now have 45 days to overturn Mr Obama’s decision.