The human rights organization Amnesty International has called on the Cuban government to immediately free all political prisoners in the nation. This demand follows Tuesday's announcement that 553 inmates would be released as part of an accord reached after negotiations with the United States government and with the Vatican's mediation.
"In light of the Cuban government's announcement to grant penal benefits to 553 individuals, we demand the immediate release of all those unjustly imprisoned for exercising their rights in Cuba, particularly prisoners of conscience," stated a communiqué shared on the social network X.
Amnesty International highlighted that over 600 individuals are currently detained for their involvement in protests since 2021. They emphasized that prisoners of conscience like Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, Maykel Castillo Pérez (Osorbo), José Daniel Ferrer García, Loreto Hernández García, Donaida Pérez Paseiro, Roberto Pérez Fonseca, Félix Navarro, Sayli Navarro, and Luis Robles remain behind bars.
"Those imprisoned for exercising their human rights should never have been criminalized. Release them NOW," the NGO warned.
The Cuban government must end repression and ensure the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. Additionally, they should repeal repressive laws that criminalize peaceful protest and freedom of expression and association," the communiqué highlighted.
Policy Changes and International Mediation
Less than a week before the end of his term, U.S. President Joe Biden's administration removed Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and suspended Title III of the Helms-Burton Act. This decision followed the Catholic Church's mediation and was part of an agreement that included the release of a "significant number of political prisoners" on the island.
According to Martí Noticias, a high-ranking U.S. official indicated that it was a unilateral decision that included a promise from the Havana regime to the Catholic Church to free political prisoners.
Shortly after the White House announced these measures, the Cuban government declared the release of 553 sanctioned individuals. An official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minrex) noted that the decision was made in the context of the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025 declared by Pope Francis and was part of the "close and fluid relations" between the Cuban state and the Vatican, but did not mention the agreement with the U.S. administration.
Shifts in U.S.-Cuba Relations
In December, Washington had stated that it maintained Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism in its 2023 report. However, the situation has dramatically changed just days before Trump's anticipated return to the White House.
Biden also plans to remove the so-called "restricted list," which includes Cuban entities subject to certain financial transaction prohibitions due to their links to human rights violations committed by the Cuban military.
Key Questions About Cuba's Political Prisoners and U.S. Policy
Why did Amnesty International demand the release of political prisoners in Cuba?
Amnesty International demanded the release because they believe that individuals imprisoned for exercising their rights should not have been criminalized, especially prisoners of conscience.
How many prisoners are set to be released in Cuba according to the recent announcement?
Cuba announced the release of 553 prisoners as part of the agreement involving the U.S. and the Vatican.
What changes did the U.S. government make regarding Cuba's status?
The U.S. removed Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and suspended parts of the Helms-Burton Act, following a mediation by the Catholic Church.