Marco Rubio requested the extradition from Cuba of Joanne Chesimard, also known as Assata Shakur, a fugitive convicted of the murder of a New Jersey state police officer in 1973 who has been in hiding in Cuba for four decades.
“The Cuban regime continues to provide refuge to terrorists and criminals, including fugitives from the United States,” Rubio said in a statement to Fox News.
"The brutal murder of New Jersey state trooper Werner Foerster will never be forgotten, and we will never stop fighting for justice," he added.
"We owe it to the victims and the American people our unwavering commitment to hold the Cuban regime accountable," he added on X.
The superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, also stated that Chesimard "should be serving a life sentence," in remarks to the same network.
"I want her here yesterday, and I have Agent Foerster's handcuffs ready to put on her when she lands on that runway, wherever it may be," he added.
On Friday, the United States government renewed its call for the extradition of Chesimard, bringing the case back into public scrutiny.
"The FBI is offering a reward of up to $1,000,000 for information that leads directly to the capture of Joanne Chesimard, who is wanted for escaping from a prison in Clinton, New Jersey, while serving a life sentence for the murder of a New Jersey State Police officer on May 2, 1973," the agency recalled via X.
Assata Shakur became the first woman to be included on the FBI's list of the most wanted terrorists in 2013. U.S. authorities consider her a "domestic terrorist" and warn that she should be considered "armed and dangerous."
The case has been a point of friction in diplomatic relations between Washington and Havana for decades.
While the U.S. government insists on her extradition, Cuban authorities have maintained that she is a political refugee.
The figure of Shakur has been a subject of controversy. While the FBI sees her as a dangerous criminal, civil rights organizations and activists consider her a symbol of black resistance in the U.S.
Her autobiography, published in 1987 from Cuba, is read in academic and activist circles. Additionally, she is the godmother of the late rapper Tupac Shakur, which has kept her image alive in African American popular culture.
The possibility of his extradition has been discussed on several occasions, even in the context of bilateral negotiations between the U.S. and Cuba, but so far, no progress has been made. Currently, it is estimated that more than 70 American citizens wanted by the law reside on the Caribbean island.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Extradition of Joanne Chesimard from Cuba
Who is Joanne Chesimard and why is she wanted by the United States?
Joanne Chesimard, also known as Assata Shakur, was convicted for the murder of a New Jersey state trooper in 1973. She escaped from prison in 1979 and sought refuge in Cuba in 1984. She is considered a "domestic terrorist" by the FBI, which offers a reward of up to $1,000,000 for information leading to her capture.
Why does the United States government seek the extradition of Assata Shakur?
The United States requests the extradition of Assata Shakur to face justice for the murder of agent Werner Foerster. Her case has been a point of friction in diplomatic relations between Washington and Havana, as the Cuban government considers her a political exile.
What has Marco Rubio said about the refuge for fugitives in Cuba?
Marco Rubio has stated that the Cuban regime provides shelter to terrorists and criminals, including fugitives from the United States. He has demanded that the Cuban regime be held accountable and turn over the American fugitives it harbors, as part of his commitment to the victims and the American people.
What is Cuba's stance on the extradition of Assata Shakur?
The Cuban government maintains that Assata Shakur is a political refugee and has thus far not responded to the extradition requests from the United States. Shakur's figure is considered controversial, as she is viewed by some as a symbol of resistance and by others as a dangerous criminal.
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