The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) has announced the death of Joanne Deborah Byron—also known as Assata Shakur—an American fugitive whose extradition had been demanded from the Cuban regime for decades due to her involvement in the murder of a police officer in the United States in 1973. According to a brief statement from MINREX, Byron passed away on September 25 in Havana "due to health complications and her advanced age."
In 2013, Assata Shakur, a former member of the Black Panther Party, became the first woman to be placed on the FBI's list of most wanted terrorists, with a reward for her capture increased to two million dollars.
The Crime That Made Her Infamous
Born in 1947, Chesimard rose to prominence as a leader within the Black Panther Party, a political and military organization established in 1966 and later dissolved in 1982 during President Ronald Reagan's administration. After marrying Louis Chesimard in 1967 and subsequently divorcing in 1970, she changed her name to Assata Shakur and joined the organization.
On May 2, 1973, during a routine traffic stop in New Jersey, Shakur and two accomplices killed state trooper Werner Foerster. A shootout ensued between Shakur and officers James Harper and Werner Foerster, resulting in the deaths of Zayd Shakur (one of Shakur's companions) and Officer Foerster. Shakur was arrested, tried, and sentenced to life in prison for Foerster's murder.
Flight and Asylum in Cuba
In March 1977, Shakur was found guilty on eight counts and incarcerated. In November 1979, she escaped from Hunterdon County's maximum-security prison in New Jersey. After living as a fugitive in the United States for several years, she arrived in Cuba in 1984, where she was granted political asylum.
In 1998, the U.S. Congress unanimously demanded Cuba extradite Shakur, but the request was unsuccessful. By 2005, her name was added to the FBI's Terrorist List, with a reward set at one million dollars. In 2013, she became the first woman on the FBI's most-wanted terrorist list, further increasing the bounty for her capture.
Continued Diplomatic Tensions
In 2015, then-Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey wrote to then-Secretary of State John Kerry, urging the extradition of Shakur. Politicians from various parties and civil organizations have consistently pressured Cuban authorities to hand over Shakur, but the island nation has refused to comply.
In 2017, during the second round of U.S.-Cuba counterterrorism talks, media outlets speculated about a possible exchange of spies and fugitives. There was talk of the U.S. handing over Ana Belén Montes in exchange for the extradition of Joanne Chesimard, but it never materialized.
That same year, during his first term, President Donald Trump demanded the return of American fugitives from Cuba, explicitly calling for the repatriation of police killer Joanne Chesimard. In 2018, Republican Senator Marco Rubio and Democrat Bob Menendez co-signed a resolution demanding the "immediate extradition" of U.S. fugitives in Cuba, including Joanne Chesimard.
As recently as May 2025, the U.S. government renewed its call for Shakur's extradition, a longstanding issue straining diplomatic relations between Washington and Havana. While the American government persisted in its demands, Cuban authorities maintained that Shakur was a political refugee.
Shakur's legacy remains polarizing; while the FBI categorized her as a dangerous criminal, civil rights groups and activists see her as a symbol of Black resistance in the United States. Ultimately, the Cuban government succeeded in preventing her extradition.
It is estimated that over 70 American fugitives, including those accused of serious crimes and terrorism, reside in Cuba. Another prominent case is that of William "Guillermo" Morales, who is accused of the 1975 Fraunces Tavern bombing.
Frequently Asked Questions about Assata Shakur and Her Legacy
Why was Assata Shakur wanted by the FBI?
Assata Shakur was wanted by the FBI for her involvement in the murder of a New Jersey state trooper, Werner Foerster, during a traffic stop in 1973. She was later placed on the FBI's most-wanted terrorist list.
What led to Assata Shakur's escape to Cuba?
After being sentenced to life in prison, Shakur escaped from a maximum-security facility in New Jersey in 1979. She lived as a fugitive before seeking asylum in Cuba in 1984, where she remained until her death.
How did Assata Shakur become a symbol for civil rights activists?
Despite her criminal charges, many civil rights activists view Shakur as a symbol of Black resistance due to her involvement with the Black Panther Party and her portrayal as a political refugee by Cuban authorities.