Cuba to release more than 2,000 prisoners, as pressure from US mounts

Cuba has announced the release of 2,010 detainees, framing it as a “humanitarian and sovereign gesture.” The move coincides with growing political tensions with the United States, which has sought to influence the island nation’s leadership. The freed individuals will encompass foreign nationals, younger inmates, women, and those over the age of 60, according to a statement from the Cuban embassy in Washington.

“The release is occurring during the religious observance of Holy Week, a tradition within our judicial framework,” the embassy noted.

Since Donald Trump resumed the presidency, his administration has emphasized a goal to replace Cuba’s current leadership. This has led to the imposition of an oil embargo, resulting in significant fuel deficits and frequent power cuts across the country. However, a recent milestone was achieved when a Russian-operated tanker successfully offloaded 730,000 barrels of crude oil at one of Cuba’s ports, marking the first such delivery since early January.

This is the second batch of prisoner releases in 2025. In March, 51 detainees were freed following discussions with the Vatican. Previously, in 2025, 553 individuals were released through a joint agreement involving the Vatican and the U.S. government.

Human Rights Watch reports that Cuba continues to imprison hundreds of political figures. Critics of the government often face targeted harassment and legal proceedings. The criteria for release included a “careful analysis” of criminal records, along with factors such as prisoner behavior, sentence completion, and health conditions, as outlined in the embassy’s statement.