Cuba to Free 553 Prisoners Following Talks With Vatican

Cuba has announced it will release 553 prisoners following talks with the Vatican, and the United States removing the island from its list of terrorism sponsors. The White House announced it as one of President Joe Biden’s final official acts before Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington next Monday.

It remains to be seen whether the new administration will reinstate Cuba to the terrorism sponsor list.

The deal was negotiated with assistance from the Vatican, which played a key role in securing the release of political prisoners in Cuba, who were believed to have been detained unjustly. Under the Communist regime, some prisoners were held for up to 10 years, often arrested on charges such as protesting against the government.

Cuban political prisoners may be close to 1000

Close to 500 people were given sentences of up to 25 years, according to official Cuban figures. Contrastingly, human rights groups and US sources, claim the number of political prisoners may be close to the 1000 detainees by the regime. Cuba also said the announcement from Washington is “a step in the right direction”. However, they are still concerned about the embargo imposed in 1962.

Most of the political prisoners released following Cuba’s talks with the Vatican were imprisoned over protesting against the regime due to increased shortages in food, fuel, medicine, and electricity. The regime’s official position claims these shortages are caused by the US-imposed embargo.

Cuba to release 553 prisoners for Jubilee at Pope Francis’ requesthttps://t.co/TCj6YUQ14c

— America Magazine (@americamag) January 15, 2025

Many analysts claim however that the COVID-19 pandemic which hindered tourism on the Island, and economic mismanagement are the main factors behind the Cuban economy’s poor state.

In light of the prisoner release, Cuban President Diaz-Canel sent a letter to Pope Francis

The statement also clarifies that the released prisoners will gradually receive their benefits. Indeed, the statement refers to the calls Pope Francis made since December 24, 2024, to release prisoners in Cuba.

A statement from Cuba’s foreign ministry notes the prisoner release takes place in the context of the “fluid relations with the Vatican State.”https://t.co/XmxQX2M7ph

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) January 15, 2025

The Cuban Foreign Ministry also highlighted the close relationship the island has with the Vatican, saying, “As part of the close and smooth relations with the Vatican state, the Cuban government has maintained communication with Pope Francis and his representatives and, as in the past, has informed His Holiness about processes of review and release of persons deprived of liberty.”