This Thursday, the United States government firmly denied any role in the recent agreement between the Cuban regime and the Catholic Church, which led to the release of 553 incarcerated individuals. A State Department official communicated to Martí Noticias that no part of the U.S. government had been involved in the process and criticized the Cuban regime for continuing to harass many of those who were released. "The United States was not part of any deal made by the Cuban regime with the Vatican and urges the regime to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners," stated the official.
Additionally, the official addressed reports from human rights organizations, which highlighted that only around 230 political prisoners, detained unjustly, have been freed. Many of these individuals, the official noted, "still face harassment and restrictions."
According to Martí Noticias, the source emphasized that U.S. Embassy diplomats in Havana consistently meet with the families of politically detained persons and some of the released political prisoners, "to demonstrate the unwavering support of the United States for their human rights and fundamental freedoms."
The announcement of this release process was made on January 14, coinciding with the Biden administration's decision to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The Cuban regime claimed that the decision resulted from an agreement mediated by the Vatican, which included protesters from the July 11, 2021 demonstrations. However, Cuban authorities did not disclose an official list of the beneficiaries' names or details about the timeline for implementing this measure.
Earlier this week, Cuba's Supreme People's Court (TSP) declared the completion of this process. Maricela Sosa Ravelo, vice president of that regime body, stated that the procedure concluded "successfully" and was divided into two phases: 378 requests approved in January and 175 in February.
Data collected by the organization Justicia 11J indicates that 202 of the released individuals are political prisoners. A list includes the names of each one. A significant number of those released are common prisoners, but no official figures are available to determine the exact proportion, although collected testimonies suggest that most of those benefiting from the regime's measure were not prisoners of conscience.
The Cuban government merely stated that the 553 individuals favored had been convicted of "various crimes" without specifying the nature of the offenses committed. Meanwhile, the organization Prisoners Defenders increased the count with new information, highlighting that only 230 of those released are political prisoners.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuban Political Prisoners
What role did the United States play in the release of Cuban political prisoners?
The United States did not participate in the agreement for the release of Cuban political prisoners. The U.S. government has emphasized that it was not involved in any deals made by the Cuban regime with the Vatican.
How many political prisoners were released in Cuba?
According to reports, approximately 230 of the released prisoners were political prisoners, although the Cuban government has not provided a detailed list or specific numbers.
What accusations do human rights organizations make about the release?
Human rights organizations have reported that many of the released political prisoners continue to face harassment and restrictions, despite their release.