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 US State Department said there’s no evidence Cuba has cut ties to Colombian rebels and cited media reports that militant Basque separatists continue to live in the country.

The ministry’s statement was published Saturday in Communist Party newspaper Granma.