Cuba has begun releasing prisoners following discussions with the Vatican, coinciding with US President Biden's plan to remove the island from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. Over a dozen individuals were freed Wednesday, including those convicted after participating in 2021 protests. One of the released, Reyna Yacnara Barreto Batista, a 24-year-old tattooist sentenced to four years for public disorder, shared her unexpected release with the Associated Press: "At three in the morning they knocked. I was sleeping (in the cell) and they told me to gather all my things, that I was free."
The US informed Congress of its intent to lift Cuba's designation through a Vatican-facilitated agreement, aiming for prisoner releases before Biden's term ends on Monday. Cuba plans to gradually release 553 political prisoners, emphasizing the move as part of the 2025 Jubilee declared by Pope Francis, and not directly linked to the US decision. The Cuban foreign ministry signaled the decision aligns with humanitarian and legal considerations.
The 2021 protests stemmed from economic difficulties, leading to widespread arrests which faced global criticism while Cuban officials blamed external forces. The Cuban Observatory of Human Rights reported 18 releases by 4pm EST, including Barreto Batista, who was cautioned about the nature of her release, confirming it wasn't a pardon. Meanwhile, US President-elect Trump is expected to reverse Biden's actions, with Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio, a longstanding supporter of sanctions against Cuba, likely to take a firm stance once he assumes office. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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