A Foreign Ministry statement says the US has no right to judge Cuba and says the island nation has an ‘unblemished’ record fighting terrorism. The statement also accuses Washington of manipulating the issue for political ends.

Cuba's inclusion on the terror blacklist since 1982 has been a huge irritation for the island's government. Being on the list brings sanctions such as foreign aid restrictions.

The ministry's statement was published on August 20 in Cuban Communist Party newspaper Granma.

AP