Related videos:
The NGO Prisoners Defenders (PD) reported that the number of political prisoners in Cuba rose to 1,161 at the end of 2024.
In December, 16 names were added to the NGO's list, but ultimately the monthly report recorded 13 more prisoners than in November, as three inmates were released from prison after fully serving their sentences.
In 2024, the list of political prisoners in Cuba totaled 166 (an average of 14 new cases each month). This means that from January 1 to December 31, a total of 1,219 political prisoners were on the list.
The monthly report from Prisoners Defenders was released after the regime announced the release of 553 prisoners -without specifying who they are-, in an agreement reached following negotiations with the United States and mediation by the Vatican.
The organization clarifies that the released prisoners would not be "freed," as they would still retain their convictions intact. It would be more accurate to refer to these cases as releases due to sentence reductions, which is not as positive news as the regime wants to make it appear.
"To release in Cuba is not the same as to liberate. In that case, some would receive parole, others perhaps extrapenal licenses, and others a series of sentence reductions, including forced labor without internment," he explains on his website.
"All these releases due to sentence subsidies, while maintaining the convictions, if confirmed, are not only far from being 'liberations,' but they constitute another level of persecution, harassment, and home repression, as the ex-convict faces the constant threat of revocation to prison," it adds.
The administration of President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday that it has removed Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and that it has suspended Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, following mediation from the Catholic Church, in an agreement that includes the release of a "significant number of political prisoners" on the Island.
According to Martí Noticias, a senior U.S. official stated that it was a unilateral decision that involved a promise from the Havana regime to the Catholic Church to release political prisoners.
In light of the brevity of the official statement from Cuba, and considering that the regime deems those sentenced for political reasons as criminals, civil society is questioning whether political prisoners will be released or just common offenders.
Among the current political prisoners, there are 219 judged for sedition, most of whom participated in peaceful protests; 218 of them "have already been sentenced to an average of ten years of imprisonment each" (including 15 minors).
The list includes 130 activists, 22 artists, and 10 journalists, as well as 648 individuals with "medical conditions caused and/or aggravated as a result of abuse" and 70 prisoners "with severe mental health disorders."
Also, 33 minors are involved, of whom 29 are serving sentences and four are undergoing criminal proceedings "with precautionary measures without any judicial oversight."
From July 1, 2021, to December 31 of last year (three years and six months), Cuba has totaled 1,801 political prisoners in its jails.
Frequently Asked Questions about Political Prisoners in Cuba in 2024
How many political prisoners are currently in Cuba?
Currently, there are 1,161 political prisoners in Cuba, according to the latest report from Prisoners Defenders. This number reflects a significant increase in 2024, despite the releases announced by the Cuban regime.
What are the conditions of political prisoners in Cuba?
Political prisoners in Cuba face extremely difficult conditions, including physical and psychological abuse, lack of adequate medical care, and forced labor. Prisoners Defenders has reported that 648 prisoners suffer from medical conditions exacerbated by mistreatment, and 70 experience severe mental health disorders.
What impact has the international community had on the situation of political prisoners in Cuba?
The international community, while expressing concern, has largely been indifferent to the human rights crisis in Cuba. Organizations such as the UN have condemned practices like forced labor, but the lack of strong actions has allowed the regime to maintain its repressive policies.
What measures has the Cuban regime taken regarding political prisoners in 2024?
In 2024, the Cuban regime announced the release of 553 prisoners, without specifying whether this includes political prisoners. This gesture coincides with political changes in the United States, which could suggest a diplomatic strategy rather than a genuine commitment to human rights.
Filed under: