The Cuban government announced on Thursday that it will release 2,010 prisoners, stating that this decision is a “humanitarian act” linked to Holy Week. Interestingly, they didn’t mention the significant pressure being exerted by the U.S. government, particularly due to a stringent oil blockade.
The announcement specified that those being pardoned include both Cubans and foreigners, and it entails a mix of demographics such as women, the elderly, and youth.
However, it remains unclear when these prisoners will be freed, the specific conditions of their release, or the details regarding the crimes for which they were convicted.
Moreover, authorities haven’t clarified whether any of those receiving pardons are individuals who had been sentenced for protests or similar actions, categorized as terrorism or disturbing public order.
The Cuban government maintains that there are no political prisoners, although as of February, the advocacy group Prisoners Defended counted 1,214 individuals imprisoned for political reasons in Cuba.
A statement from Cuban officials, shared via state media, mentioned that the decision was made “after careful analysis” of the prisoners’ crimes, their conduct in prison, and their overall health, especially for those who have served a significant part of their sentences.
This release is taking place in the context of growing pressure from the Trump administration, whose oil blockade has significantly impacted daily life in Cuba, leading to increased power outages.
Historically, Cuba has released prisoners during pivotal moments. For instance, last January 553 prisoners were freed amid discussions with the Vatican, just a day after the Biden administration expressed intentions to reevaluate Cuba’s classification as a state sponsor of terrorism.
In a more recent gesture, the Cuban government let go of 51 prisoners last month, citing a spirit of goodwill and closeness with the Vatican.
This latest release marks the fifth since 2011, totaling over 11,000 individuals freed. It’s noteworthy that this announcement follows just months after the U.S. pushed to remove former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and urged substantial reforms, which included the release of politically motivated prisoners and the establishment of an amnesty law.
