Cuba Has Begun Releasing Prisoners Under Scrutiny From U.S. Authorities

• 4.04.2026, 11:35

Men and women were continuously released from La Lima Prison in Guanabacoa, near Havana.

Cuba began releasing prisoners from its jails on April 3, just hours after its communist government announced a sweeping amnesty coinciding with the most intense U.S. pressure campaign in decades, writes Reuters.

On Thursday, Cuban state media announced the release of more than 2,000 inmates in what it called a "sovereign and humanitarian" gesture - the largest such amnesty in recent memory Reuters spoke to several of them - they turned out to be those pardoned for common crimes ranging from theft to bribery, but none of them were involved in political anti-government protests.

"It is unclear how many political prisoners, if any, will be released," a U.S. official said. - We continue to call for the immediate release of hundreds of other brave Cuban patriots who remain unjustly detained."

The issue of political prisoners has long been a major sticking point in talks between Washington and Havana. The release of all or most political prisoners would be seen as a major concession by Cuba in the ongoing talks between the two countries.

The Cuban government has consistently rejected any suggestion that it is making decisions under U.S. pressure.

Neither the United States nor the Vatican, which has been involved in previous amnesties, was mentioned in state media reports on Thursday night's amnesty announcement.

Cuban authorities, like those in Belarus, have repeatedly denied the existence of political prisoners. Havana says those arrested during anti-government protests have been found guilty of crimes such as disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, looting and vandalism.

U.S.-funded human rights activists said they had yet to register the release of any "prisoners of conscience" by midday on April 3.

Cuba generally does not publish lists of names of prisoners released in such amnesties, making it even more difficult for human rights organizations to confirm the information.