US President Barack Obama meets with his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro in Panama City, capital of Panama, on Saturday, April 11, 2015. [Photo: Xinhua]

US President Barack Obama intends to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. This will clear away the main obstacle to restoring diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In Havana, the capital of Cuba, local residents hail Obama's decision.

Resident Arael Aguirre says, "I think that it's a good intention by President (Obama) and I don't think Cuba should be on that list. Cuba doesn't sponsor terrorism. On the contrary it helps many countries."

However, Obama's intention also aroused criticism. US Senator Marco Rubio is one of those who condemned the decision.

Marco Rubio says, "Well, the decision made by the White House today is a terrible one, but not surprising unfortunately. Cuba is a state sponsor of terrorism. They harbor fugitives of American justice, including someone who killed a police officer in New Jersey over 30 years ago. It's also the country that's helping North Korea evade weapons sanctions by the United Nations. They should have remained on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, and I think sends a chilling message to our enemies aboard that this White House is no longer serious about calling terrorism by its proper name."

Cuba has been on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism since 1982. President Obama told Congress on Tuesday of his intent to remove Cuba from the list, two days after he met with his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro. Congress has 45 days to consider Obama's decision before it finally takes effect.