article_snippet.sent: The designation carries financial sanctions which Cuban officials say further damages Cuban officials already ailing economy.
article_snippet.sent: Removal from the list "does not relate to whether or not we agree with everything a country does or whether we agree with a country political system, or a country foreign policy," Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said on a conference call with reporters Tuesday.
article_snippet.sent: It's a very practical review as to whether or not a government is sponsoring terrorism.
article_snippet.sent: Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes also dialed backed rhetoric on Venezuela, saying Venezuela did not pose a national security threat to the United States, despite a recent declaration to that effect.
article_snippet.sent: The designation was meant to allow officials to target seven allegedly corrupt Venezuelan officials, but The designation ignited a firestorm, particularly in Cuba, which has close ties to Venezuela.