The Cuban government announced on Thursday its decision to grant pardons to 2,010 prisoners. This move unfolds amidst intense pressure from the Trump administration, which has imposed a stringent oil blockade on the island nation.
According to the announcement, the pardons are being issued as a “humanitarian gesture” in observance of Holy Week. Notably, there was no mention of the escalating tensions with the United States in the statement.
The list of those benefiting from the pardons includes both foreign nationals and Cuban citizens, encompassing women, the elderly, and young individuals. However, the government has not specified the exact timing or terms of their release, nor has it disclosed the nature of the offenses for which they were previously incarcerated.
Additionally, the authorities have remained silent on whether these pardons will extend to any protesters who were convicted on charges of terrorism, contempt, or public disorder.
While the Cuban government maintains that it does not hold political prisoners, the activist organization Prisoners Defenders reported that as of February, there were 1,214 individuals imprisoned in Cuba for political reasons.
Cuba’s government denies holding political prisoners, but the activist group Prisoners Defended registered 1,214 people imprisoned for political reasons in Cuba as of February.
Cuban authorities said the decision “was based on a careful analysis of the characteristics of the crimes committed by those sanctioned, their good behavior in prison, having served a significant portion of their sentence, and their health status,” according to a statement published in state media.
The release comes as the Trump administration has placed extreme pressure on Cuba’s government, imposing an oil blockade for months that has fueled blackouts and left many civilians suffering.
Cuba periodically frees prisoners at key moments.
In January last year, Cuba’s government released 553 prisoners as part of talks with the Vatican, a day after the Biden administration announced its intent to lift the US designation of the island nation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Last month, Cuba released 51 people from the island’s prisons in an unexpected move that officials said stems from a spirit of goodwill and close relations with the Vatican.
The government said Thursday’s announcement was the fifth prisoner release since 2011, and that it has freed more than 11,000 people.
The announcement come just months after the US deposed ex-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and pressured that nation’s government to make radical changes, including releasing prisoners detained for political reasons and passing an amnesty law.
