Cuba has announced plans to release 2,010 prisoners as part of a “humanitarian and sovereign gesture,” the Cuban government said, amid ongoing political pressure from the United States.
The release will include foreign nationals, young people, women, and individuals over 60, according to a statement from the Cuban embassy in the US. The government said the move aligns with the religious observances of Holy Week, a tradition in its criminal justice system.
Since returning to office, US President Donald Trump has sought to influence Cuba’s leadership and imposed restrictions on oil shipments, leading to widespread fuel shortages and blackouts. A Russian-owned tanker carrying approximately 730,000 barrels of crude oil recently became the first to dock in Cuba since January.
Cuba has long detained political prisoners, with Human Rights Watch noting that critics of the government often face harassment and prosecution. The embassy said eligibility for release considered the nature of offences, good behavior in prison, time served, and health conditions.
This marks the second prisoner release this year. In March, 51 inmates were freed following discussions involving the Vatican. In 2025, Cuba released 553 prisoners in a deal brokered by the Vatican and the US.
