The Supreme People's Tribunal (TSP) of Cuba announced this Monday the completion of the process of releasing 553 inmates, which began on January 14.
The vice president of the TSP, Maricela Sosa Ravelo, assured that the procedure concluded "successfully" and was divided into two phases: 378 applications approved in January and 175 in February.
However, the measure does not constitute a complete release. The television report that presented the news emphasized that the beneficiaries have received an "early release" and that they continue to serve their sentence under certain conditions.
Among the control measures for those released from prison is the mandatory regular appearance before a judge and the adherence to additional penalties. In case of non-compliance, the benefit could be revoked and the individuals would return to prison.
Political context of the releases in Cuba
The announcement of this process was made on January 14, coinciding with the Biden administration's decision to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The Cuban regime stated that the release was the result of an agreement mediated by the Vatican and included participants from the July 11, 2021 protests.
Cuban authorities did not release an official list of the names of the inmates benefiting from this measure nor provided details about the schedule for its implementation.
Most of the released individuals are common prisoners
Data collected by the organization Justicia 11J indicates that 202 released individuals are political prisoners. A list contains the names of each of them.
A significant number of those released from prison are common inmates. There are no official figures that provide the exact proportion, but collected testimonies suggest that most of those benefiting from the regime's measure were not political prisoners.
The Cuban government merely stated that the 553 beneficiaries had been convicted of "various crimes" without specifying the types of offenses committed. The Cuban Observatory of Human Rights increased the figure with new data and pointed out that only 212 released individuals are political prisoners.
The most recent data on releases are from March 3rd and can be found on the collaborative platform #Todos. That website is coordinated by ten independent Cuban media outlets. In addition to the 212 political prisoners mentioned by OCDH, they document 19 new releases, bringing the total to 231 released prisoners of conscience.
Prominent opponents included in the process
Among those released are Cuban dissidents such as José Daniel Ferrer and Félix Navarro, both political prisoners from the "Black Spring" of 2003, who had been freed and then detained on July 11 for their participation in the protests.
However, other notable figures, such as artists Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Maykel Osorbo, were not included in the release.
Human rights NGOs in Cuba have expressed concern over the control the regime maintains over those released from prison. Justicia 11J reminded that the released individuals must "maintain a social behavior in accordance with socialist norms," which implies the risk of being detained at any moment.
In light of the lack of transparency, Justicia 11J has urged the international community to demand that the Cuban State provide an official list of those who benefited and the criteria used for their selection in this measure.
Criticism of the lack of transparency in the process
Various organizations have reported the lack of official information regarding the process and have raised concerns about the absence of guarantees for those released.
Amnesty International, the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH), and Prisoners Defenders point out that there are over a thousand political prisoners on the island, and that this partial release does not represent a significant improvement in the human rights situation in Cuba.
The hermetic nature of the Cuban regime and the lack of detailed information continue to create uncertainty about the true scope and purposes of this measure.
Frequently Asked Questions about Releases in Cuba in 2025
How many prisoners were released in the process of incarceration in Cuba in 2025?
The Supreme People's Court of Cuba announced the release of 553 inmates. This process began on January 14, 2025, and was divided into two phases: 378 requests approved in January and 175 in February.
Does this measure include political prisoners?
Yes, the process included political prisoners such as José Daniel Ferrer and Félix Navarro. However, a large portion of those released are common prisoners, which has raised criticisms regarding the transparency of the process.
What conditions must be met by those released from prison?
The released individuals must comply with certain conditions, such as regular appearances before a judge and the fulfillment of additional penalties. If they do not meet these requirements, they may be returned to prison.
What is the political context behind these releases?
The release process coincided with the Biden administration's decision to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The Cuban regime claims that this measure is the result of an agreement mediated by the Vatican. Various organizations have questioned the lack of transparency and have pointed out that the process does not represent a significant improvement in the human rights situation in Cuba.
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