Cuba to Release Over 550 Prisoners Following US Policy Shift

Cuba announced the release of 553 prisoners as a gesture following the United States' decision to remove the country from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. The move, hailed by relatives of detainees, marked a significant development in the strained relations between the two nations.

The decision came as President Joe Biden concluded his term by lifting Cuba’s terror designation, a policy reversal that his successor, Donald Trump, is expected to contest. "A thorough assessment found no evidence to support Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism," a senior administration official explained.

Negotiated with the mediation of the Catholic Church, the release includes individuals detained for political reasons or considered unjustly incarcerated. Among them is Roberto Perez, sentenced to ten years for participating in mass protests in July 2021. His mother, Liset Fonseca, expressed relief, stating, "All mothers want our children free from the suffering of Cuban prisons."

The protests, sparked by food shortages, power outages, and economic instability, led to the imprisonment of hundreds. Official figures report 500 individuals sentenced, though rights groups estimate closer to 1,000. Some have already been released after serving their terms.

Cuba described the US decision as a positive step but emphasized the continued burden of sanctions imposed since 1962. Officials announced the release of individuals imprisoned for "various crimes" as part of the response.

The Cuban government attributes its economic challenges to the US blockade, compounded by the global pandemic and internal mismanagement. While Biden initially promised policy reforms regarding Cuba, progress stalled following the government's crackdown on the 2021 protests.

Incoming political figures critical of the Cuban government have opposed Biden's decision. Senator Ted Cruz criticized the move as appeasement, while Marco Rubio, a vocal opponent of communism, was named to a key position under Trump’s administration.

Despite criticism, Biden took steps to ease financial restrictions on Cuba, waiving certain provisions of the Libertad Act and reversing Trump-era policies. These efforts garnered international praise, including from Colombia's leadership, acknowledging Cuba’s role in peace negotiations between Colombia’s government and former rebel groups.