Cuba has started releasing some prisoners as part of talks with the Vatican, a day after President Joe Biden’s administration announced his intent to lift the U.S. designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism.

There is zero doubt in my mind that they meet all the qualifications for being a state sponsor of terrorism,” he said.

WASHINGTON — Retiring President Biden is lifting Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism less than a week before leaving office — outraging Republican members of Congress who believe more stringent sanctions should remain in effect.