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The Cuban regime seems to have suspended or slowed down the process of releasing political prisoners, as warned by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH) this Tuesday.
The organization expressed its "maximum concern" after confirming that, by one o'clock in the afternoon (local time) on Tuesday, no new prisoner had been released, despite the expectations generated by this measure, which the regime announced as an agreement between the Vatican and Havana, rather than a negotiation with the United States.
However, the slowing down of the releases coincides with the new president Donald Trump's decision to add the island back to the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
The OCDH reminded that, in its announcement regarding the start of the releases, the Cuban government had mentioned the "spirit of the Jubilee Year of the Catholic Church" as a driving factor of the process.
The NGO noted that, despite the official proclamation, the process has been characterized by a lack of transparency and the absence of a clear commitment to immediately release all political prisoners.
"The Cuban regime has justified this release as a 'unilateral and sovereign' decision," stated the OCDH, adding that, in their opinion, "no policy adopted by the United States or other countries should be the reason to delay or cancel this process."
The organization also criticized the Cuban government for persisting in its old strategy of using prisoners as "bargaining chips," while attempting to present a facade of not accepting external pressures and completely controlling the pace of releases.
According to the OCDH, these tactics are "contrary to the spirit of jubilee" and do not align with the current state of international relations.
The Cuban Observatory of Human Rights has kept constant communication with the family members and associates of political prisoners, who live with "uncertainty and despair" about the future of their loved ones.
"Until one o'clock this afternoon, we have not been informed of any new releases," explained the NGO.
By Monday afternoon, the Cuban regime had released 166 political prisoners, according to a record from the OCDH, which has been confirmed by the families of the released individuals or the former prisoners themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Release of Political Prisoners in Cuba
Why has the Cuban regime halted the release of political prisoners?
The releases have been halted or slowed down coinciding with President Donald Trump's decision to return Cuba to the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The Cuban regime uses prisoners as "bargaining chips" in its international relations, and being included on the terrorism list could be influencing decisions regarding releases.
What role has the Vatican played in the release of prisoners in Cuba?
The Vatican has acted as a mediator in the negotiations that led the Cuban regime to announce the release of 553 individuals. Pope Francis described the releases as a "gesture of great hope" and has urged that such initiatives continue in the spirit of the Jubilee Year.
How many political prisoners have been released in Cuba recently?
According to the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, at least 114 political prisoners have been released as of January 19, 2025. However, the process has been criticized for its lack of transparency and for not releasing all political prisoners immediately.
What is the agreement between Cuba and the United States that has facilitated the prison releases?
The agreement, mediated by the Vatican, involves the release of a significant number of political prisoners in Cuba in exchange for the United States removing the island from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and suspending Title III of the Helms-Burton Act. This agreement aims to improve diplomatic relations and alleviate some economic sanctions imposed on Cuba.
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