Related videos:
More than a hundred political prisoners have been released in Cuba over the last five days, following the Cuban regime's announcement of the gradual release of 553 individuals "sentenced for various offenses," in the context of negotiations with the United States government and mediation by the Vatican.
According to the record from the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH), by 4:00 p.m. (Cuba time) this Sunday, at least 114 individuals imprisoned for political reasons have been released since the release process began on January 15.
Among those released this Sunday is the opposition member Tania Echevarría Menéndez, from the Damas de Blanco movement, who had been sentenced by the regime to six years in prison for participating in the anti-government protests that took place on July 11 and 12, 2021, in around 60 Cuban cities and towns.
Berta Soler, leader of the women's collective, reported in a social media video that Echevarría Menéndez is the first Dama de Blanco released in this process, but Sissi Abascal, Sayli Navarro, and Aymara Nieto Muñoz remain in prison.
In recent hours, the regime has released another group of people detained for political reasons, according to various independent organizations.
The Vice President of the Supreme Court, Maricela Sosa Ravelo, warned that the current process “is neither an amnesty nor a pardon”, as these entail the total extinction of the sentence, but rather “benefits of early release.”
Sosa Ravelo confirmed that the Cuban regime had granted since Wednesday 127 early releases: 121 were on parole and six were on extrapenal licenses.
Justicia 11J emphasized this Sunday that "this means that the released individuals must meet requirements and conditions imposed by the authorities, including 'demonstrating good behavior,' and they could be re-arrested if the regime deems it necessary."
Among those released are several political prisoners, including opposition leaders José Daniel Ferrer García and Félix Navarro Rodríguez, pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo, young Luis Robles Elizástigui, and demonstrators from 11J.
Organizations such as Justicia 11J, the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, and Cubalex maintain updated records of political prisoners who have been released, aiming to “provide accurate, reliable, and accessible information to the public.”
Campaign demands the release of all political prisoners unconditionally
A social media campaign driven by activists, opposition members, and human rights organizations has made a call for the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Cuba, in response to the partial release being carried out by the regime.
The NGO Prisoners Defenders has raised the number of political prisoners in Cuba to 1,161 at the end of 2024.
Context of the releases
On January 14, shortly after the Biden Administration announced the removal of Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and the suspension of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba (MINREX) announced the imminent release of 553 individuals, sentenced for "various offenses" on the island.
MINREX stated that the releases were occurring "in the spirit of the Ordinary Jubilee Year of 2025" and following negotiations with the Catholic Church, the Vatican, and the mediation of Pope Francis.
According to the official statement, Miguel Díaz-Canel sent a letter to the Supreme Pontiff to inform him of the decision.
The organization Amnesty International (AI), for its part, demanded the immediate release of all political prisoners in Cuba.
“Following the Cuban government's announcement to grant legal leniency to 553 individuals, we demand the immediate release of all those unjustly imprisoned for exercising their rights in Cuba, particularly those who are prisoners of conscience,” stated the organization in a statement.
List of released political prisoners
These are the political prisoners released as of Sunday, January 19, 2025 (4:00 p.m., local time), according to the records of the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights.
1- Reynel Pupo Anaya
2- Rolando González Arevalo
3- Nidia Bienes Paseiro
4- José Antonio González Guerrero
5- Aleandry Lechuga Junco
6- Tania Echevarría Menéndez
7- Adonis Garvizo Otero
8- Dainier Flores Oliva
9- Yohandry Ripoll Smith
10- Edel Osvaldo López Nodarse
11- Iván Hernández Troya
12- Pedro Nicolás León
13- Maikel González Mura
14- Jorge Serrano Alfonso
15- Andy Ortega Murgado
16- Michel Mariel Suárez Muñoz
17- Jaime Alcide Firdó Rodríguez
18- Rafael Cutiño Bazan
19- Juan Alberto Matos Masó
20- Mariurka Díaz Calvo
21- Ismel Frank Guanche Acosta
22- Santiago Vázquez León
23- Rodennis Ávila Corujo
24- José Antonio Gómez León
25- Adel de la Torre Hernández
26- John Luis Machado Marrero
27- Jorge Alexander Ilufro Pére
28- Noel Martínez Tápanez
29- Miner Chaviano Mastache
30- Francisco Rafael Villa Tamari
31- Adrián Rodríguez Morera
32- Joel Díaz Hernández
33- Leylandis Puentes Vargas
34- Yoslen Domínguez Victores
35- Denis Hernández Ramírez
36- Roberto Jesús Marín Fernández
37- Robert Michel Marín Fernández
38- Adrián Echegoyen Espiñeira
39- Rosa Jany Millo Espinosa
40- Félix Navarro Rodríguez
41- Frandy González León
42- Brenda Díaz García
43- Henry Osmar Sánchez Aparicio
44- Roberto Sosa Cabrera
45- Yoel Consuegra Ávila
46- Yoennis Domínguez de la Rosa
47- Yeriel Cruz Pérez
48- Yuniesky Jackson Mensu
49- Marcos Antonio Pintueles Marrero
50- Omar Hernández Calzadilla
51- Yuniel Jorge Fleitas
52- Daisy Rodríguez Alfonso
53- Rolando Fernández Osorio
54- Lázaro Rodríguez Ávila
55- Liván Mediaceja Heredia
56- Frank Ernesto Trujillo Hervis
57- Alexander Paredes Collado
58- Emyoslán Román Rodríguez
59- José Manuel Arias Campos
60- Maykel Fleites Rivalta
61- Yismel Alfonso Oliva
62- Gilberto Castillo Castillo
63- Dariel Rosa Pérez
64- Manuel Díaz Rodríguez
65- Yusnaira González Pérez
66- Jorge Luis Liriano Álvarez
67- Johander Pérez Gómez
68- Humberto Elías Monrabal Camps
69- Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo
70- Abdiel Cedeño Martínez
71- Yoandry Reinier Sayú Silva
72- Armando Lázaro Merlan Pérez
73- Alien Molina Castell
74- Jorge Luis Lugones Lara
75- Gloria María López Valle
76- Heriberto Téllez Reynosa
77- Daniel Antonio Díaz Gálvez
78- Juvier Jiménez Gómez
79- Yunior Rodríguez Rivero
80- Julián Manuel Mazola Beltrán
81- Uziel David Abreu Martínez
82- Iris Belkis Oduardo Rodríguez
83- Carlos Manuel Pupo Rodríguez
84- José Daniel Ferrer García
85- Jorge Luis Salazar Brioso
86- Lisdiany Rodríguez Isaac
87- Luis Robles Elizásteguis
88- Orlando Pineda Martínez
89- Marlon Brando Díaz Oliva
90- Ciro Alexis Casanova Pérez
91- Juan Yanier Antomarchi Núñez
92- Randy Arteaga Rivera
93- Frank Daniel Roig Sotolongo
94- Yandier García Labrada
95- Eduin Rodríguez Fonseca
96- Andro Ledesma Prieto
97- Liliana Oropesa Ferrer
98- Endris Fuentes Zamora
99- Javier González Fernández
100- Arturo Valentín Rivero
101- Rowland Jesús Castillo Castro
102- Dariel Cruz García
103- Donaida Pérez Paseiro
104- Mailene Noguera Santiesteban
105- Yessica Coimbra Noriega
106- Reyna Yacnara Barreto Batista
107- Liván Hernández Sosa
108- Katia Beirut Rodríguez
109- José Miguel Gómez Mondeja
110- Jorge Gabriel Arruebarruena León
111- Lisdany Rodríguez Isaac
112- Magdiel Rodríguez García
113- Rogelio Lázaro Domínguez Pérez
114- César Adrián Delgado Correa
Filed under: