Cuba Announces Release of 2,010 Prisoners Amid U.S. Pressure
Elenathan Kassa
Staff Writer
Cuba is set to release 2,010 prisoners in the nation’s fifth prisoner release since 2011, according to the Associated Press. The Cuban government clarified it was a “humanitarian gesture” ahead of Holy Week; however, some suspect that American pressure has something to do with it. (AP)
The Cuban authorities did not disclose when the prisoners will be released nor the nature of the crimes they were accused of committing. As reported by Reuters, many speculate that a significant number of prisoners may be protesters who were convicted and arrested on terrorism charges. Despite this being denied by the Cuban government, activist group Prisoners Defended estimates that 1,214 people are imprisoned for political reasons. The Cuban government still insists the prisoners who attended anti-government demonstrations were arrested due to engaging in crimes such as vandalism, public disorder and robbery, per the AP.
Another statement released by the Cuban government, cited by Reuters, stated that prisoners were selected based on “their good behavior in prison, having served a significant portion of their sentence, and their health status,” (AP)
A U.S State Department spokesperson has told the AP that “it is unclear how many, if any, political prisoners will be released” when asked on the matter.
Human Rights Watch verified that political prisoners have not been identified amongst the released. Former detainees released in 2025 reported abuse in Cuban prisons. Even after release, many remain under strict surveillance and face the potential of rearrest.
A day after the announcement, prisoners were already being released. According to CBS News, some prisoners released from the La Lima prison in Guanabacoa were men and women convicted of theft and bribery. This is important as the U.S. is keeping a close watch on whether political prisoners will be released, as they are a matter of significance in the negotiations between the two nations. Those released were foreign nationals, citizens over the age of 60, and so on.
Several prisons around Havana and in other Cuban provinces have also started releasing prisoners, CBS News added.
Before that, 3,522 prisoners were pardoned by the Cuban government during Pope Francis’ visit and during a period of closer relations with the US during the Obama administration. As one Reuters article noted, similarly, in January 2025, 553 prisoners were released as a result of talks with the Vatican and the Biden administration’s intent to lift the U.S. designation of Cuba as a sponsor of terrorism. Last month, 51 prisoners were released because of closer relations with the Vatican. Out of those 51, some were political prisoners.
This action comes following the Trump administration’s crackdown on Cuba including an oil blockade. CBS News noted that the Trump administration also threatened to enforce tariffs on any countries that supply Cuba with oil, causing significant fuel shortages. This has led to massive electricity blackouts and hospitals having no energy.
Additionally, President Trump has mounted pressure on Cuba, stating the possibility of “taking Cuba in some form.” This is especially significant as the administration has launched a military operation against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a longtime ally of Cuba earlier this year. Trump has stated that Cuba will be next.
However last week, a Russian ship was allowed to supply Cuba with more than 700,000 barrels of oil. According to CBS News, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that it was for “humanitarian reasons.” But Leavitt noted that this does not change the relations between the two states and that similar future decisions will be based on “case-by-case basis.”
Image courtesy of Getty Images.
