The Cuban regime revoked the parole of political prisoner Jaime Alcides Firdó Rodríguez, who was released on January 19, 2025, as a result of an agreement mediated by the Vatican.
Firdó Rodríguez had been sentenced to seven years in prison for participating in the peaceful mass protests that erupted in Cuba in July 2021. Since April 1, he has been held in the Capri police unit in Havana, awaiting transfer to prison, as reported on social media by the legal advisory center Cubalex.
The young man's mother told that organization that her son was summoned several times by a State Security officer, identified as Ariel, who tried to recruit him as an informant, but the political prisoner refused.
"By refusing, he was threatened with the revocation of his parole", reported Yuneisy Rodríguez García in a video.
Until now, the prisoner’s family has not received any official document explaining the reasons for the revocation or demonstrating a violation of the established terms. "This complete lack of transparency exacerbates the arbitrariness of the process," denounced Cubalex.
My son was revoked because they say there is a complaint against him, and they don't want to say who is filing the complaint or why," explained the mother.
This case marks the first revocation of the release that the regime initiated in January following the Biden administration's decision to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
In March, the People's Supreme Court (TSP) of Cuba announced the completion of the process following the "release" of 553 inmates, and the vice president of that body stated that the procedure concluded "successfully" and was divided into two phases: 378 requests approved in January and 175 in February.
However, the measure did not constitute a total release. The authorities emphasized that those benefited received an "early release" and that they continue to serve their sentence under certain conditions.
Among the control measures for the released individuals is the mandatory regular appearance before a judge and the compliance with additional penalties. In case of non-compliance, the benefit could be revoked and the inmates would return to prison.
Data collected by the organization Justicia 11J indicates that 202 released individuals are political prisoners. A list includes the names of each of them.
A significant number of those released are common inmates. There are no official figures to determine the exact proportion, but the testimonies gathered suggest that the majority of those benefiting from the regime's measure were not prisoners of conscience.
The Cuban government merely indicated that the 553 beneficiaries had been convicted of "various crimes," without specifying the types of offenses committed. The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights raised the number with new data and pointed out that only 212 of those released are political prisoners.
Frequently Asked Questions about Revocations of Parole in Cuba and the Political Context
Why was Jaime Alcides Firdó Rodríguez's parole revoked?
The parole of Jaime Alcides Firdó Rodríguez was revoked after he refused to become an informant for the Cuban regime. According to his mother, he was summoned several times by State Security, and upon refusing, he was threatened with the revocation of his parole. So far, the family has not received official documentation explaining the reasons for this decision.
What conditions must those released from prison in Cuba meet to maintain their freedom?
The released individuals in Cuba must comply with certain conditions, such as regularly appearing before a judge and fulfilling additional sanctions, in order to maintain their freedom. Failure to meet these conditions may result in the revocation of the release benefit. The requirements may include the obligation to enroll in studies or employment if they are fit for it.
What was the political context behind the releases in Cuba in 2025?
The releases in Cuba in 2025 were part of an agreement mediated by the Vatican, coinciding with Cuba's removal from the list of state sponsors of terrorism by the Biden administration. This process included the release of some protesters from the 11J demonstrations, although most of those released were common prisoners. Human rights organizations have criticized the lack of transparency and the absence of a complete release of political prisoners.
How many political prisoners have been released in Cuba and under what conditions?
In Cuba, it is estimated that around 212 political prisoners have been released under restrictive conditions. According to data from the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, of the 553 inmates released, only a fraction were political prisoners. Those released remain under surveillance and must adhere to legal commitments, making their freedom neither complete nor guaranteed.
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