Cuba has completed the early release of 553 prisoners as part of an agreement brokered in the final days of Joe Biden’s presidency. However, after taking office, Donald Trump scrapped the deal, halting further releases. Maricela Soza Ravelo, vice president of Cuba’s Supreme Court, confirmed on Monday (March 10) that the process had been successfully completed.
She revealed that authorities processed 378 applications in January and 175 in February. The deal, reached on January 14, led to Biden removing Cuba from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. In return, Cuba agreed to release 553 detainees.
Trump Ends the Deal, Stopping Additional Releases
Despite the agreement, the arrangement did not last long. Trump assumed office on January 20 and swiftly revoked the Vatican-mediated deal. By that time, Cuban authorities had already freed 192 prisoners, but the remaining releases were put on hold.
Most of those released had been arrested during the Cuban government’s crackdown on the rare mass protests of July 2021. Thousands of Cubans had demonstrated against economic struggles and political repression.
Even after Trump canceled the agreement, sporadic prisoner releases continued in the following weeks. However, Cuban officials have not disclosed a complete list of those freed, and they have not announced any plans for future releases.
Hundreds of Political Prisoners Still Detained
The human rights platform “Todos,” which tracks political prisoners, has confirmed the release of 212 individuals. Among them are well-known opposition leaders José Daniel Ferrer and Félix Navarro.
However, other high-profile dissidents remain behind bars. Artists Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Maykel Osorbo are still serving sentences of five and seven years, respectively.
Official Cuban records indicate that around 500 people arrested during the July 2021 protests have been sentenced. Some received prison terms of up to 25 years, while others have been released after completing their sentences.
International Concerns Over Political Prisoners
Despite these releases, human rights organizations and the US Embassy in Havana estimate that approximately 1,000 political prisoners remain in Cuban prisons. Activists continue to call for their freedom, urging international pressure on the Cuban government.