Who is Assata Shakur and why the United States offers a millionaire reward for its capture?

Assata Shakur, born as Joanne Deborah Chesimard in New York in 1947, is a key and controversial figure within African -American liberation movements in the United States.

His name continues to generate holders for his militant past and for being the first woman included in the list of the most wanted terrorists of the FBI, which offers a million dollars of reward for his capture. For decades, reside in Cuba, a country that has repeatedly rejected it to the United States.

Assata Shakur: from fugitive activist

During the 60s, Shakur joined the Black Panther Party, an organization that fought against police brutality and structural racism. Later, he went to the black liberation army (Bla), a clandestine group that defended the armed struggle to free the black community.

On May 2, 1973, the Police arrested Shakur with two other members of BL on a New Jersey highway. In the midst of the confrontation, agent Werner Foerster and Shakur died suffered gunshot wounds. Although she always denied having triggered, a court sentenced her in 1977 for first degree murder, in addition to linking her with other crimes such as robberies and attacks. His lawyers denounced serious irregularities during the trial and the defense argued that it was a political persecution.

Leakage and arrival in Cuba of Assata Shakur

In 1979, an armed command helped Shakur escape from prison. He spent several years in hiding, until in 1984 he arrived in Cuba, where he requested and obtained political asylum. Since then, he lives under the name of Assata Shakur and has received support from international academic sectors, activists and supporters. His autobiography, published in 1987, is studied today in universities as a symbol of African -American resistance.

The #FBI OFFERS A REWARD OF UP TO $ 1,000,000 FOR INFO DIRECTLY LEADING TO THE APPREHENSION OF JOANNE CHESIMARD, WANTED FOR SHADING FROM PRISON IN CLINTON, NJ, WHILE SERVING A LIFE SENTENCE FOR THE MAY 2, 1973, MURDER OF A NEW JERSE STATE POLICE TROOPER: https://t.co/d22ij0xtft pic.twitter.com/wkztasjv43

– FBI MOST WANED (@FBBOSTWANED) May 2, 2025

Over the years, the United States has requested its extradition on multiple occasions. The FBI included it in its most wanted terrorist list, accusing it of domestic terrorism. However, Cuba has rejected those requests, claiming that Shakur was subject to racial and political persecution. In addition, historical tensions between both countries complicate any such judicial cooperation.

The Cuban government believes that delivering Shakur would be to give up his sovereignty and the principles that defend himself since 1959. For US authorities, his refuge in Cuba represents an obstacle to doing justice. Meanwhile, the figure of Assata Shakur continues to divide opinions: some see it as a heroine of civil rights, others as a dangerous criminal.

Assata Shakur continues to symbolize the deep political crack between two nations and two visions of the world that fail to reconcile their differences.

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