In the last five days, more than a hundred political prisoners have been freed in Cuba, following the regime's announcement of a phased release involving 553 individuals "convicted of various crimes." This comes amidst negotiations with the United States and mediation from the Vatican. The Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH) recorded at least 114 political detainees released by 4:00 p.m. on Sunday since the releases began on January 15.
Among those freed on Sunday was opposition figure Tania Echevarría Menéndez from the Ladies in White movement. She had been sentenced to six years in prison by the regime for taking part in anti-government protests on July 11 and 12, 2021, in about 60 Cuban towns and cities. Berta Soler, the leader of the female collective, shared in a social media video that Echevarría Menéndez is the first Lady in White released in this process. However, Sissi Abascal, Sayli Navarro, and Aymara Nieto Muñoz remain incarcerated.
In recent hours, another group of political detainees has been released from Cuban prisons, as recorded by various independent organizations. Maricela Sosa Ravelo, vice president of the Supreme Court, clarified that the current process "is neither an amnesty nor a pardon," which would imply a complete dismissal of the sentence. Instead, it is about granting "early release benefits."
Sosa Ravelo confirmed that since Wednesday, the Cuban regime had issued 127 early releases: 121 through parole and six via conditional release. Justicia 11J emphasized on Sunday that "this means the released individuals must adhere to requirements and conditions set by authorities, including 'demonstrating good behavior,' and they could be re-arrested if the regime deems necessary."
Among the released political prisoners are opposition leaders such as José Daniel Ferrer García and Félix Navarro Rodríguez, Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo, young activist Luis Robles Elizástigui, and participants from the July 11 protests. Organizations such as Justicia 11J, the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, and Cubalex maintain updated records of released political prisoners to "provide accurate, reliable, and accessible information to the public."
Campaign Demands Unconditional Release of All Political Prisoners
A social media campaign led by activists, opposition members, and human rights organizations has called for the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Cuba, in response to the regime's partial release actions. The NGO Prisoners Defenders has reported that the number of political prisoners in Cuba reached 1,161 by the end of 2024.
Background of the Releases
On January 14, shortly after the Biden Administration announced Cuba's removal from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and the suspension of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) announced the imminent release of 553 individuals convicted of "various crimes" on the island. The MINREX stated that the releases were carried out "in the spirit of the Ordinary Jubilee Year 2025" following negotiations with the Catholic Church, the Vatican, and mediation by Pope Francis. According to the official statement, Miguel Díaz-Canel sent a letter to the Pope to communicate the decision.
Amnesty International (AI) has demanded the immediate release of all political prisoners in Cuba. "In response to the Cuban government's announcement to grant penal benefits to 553 individuals, we demand the immediate release of all individuals unjustly imprisoned for exercising their rights in Cuba, particularly those considered prisoners of conscience," the organization stated in a communiqué.
List of Released Political Prisoners
The following is a list of political prisoners released as of Sunday, January 19, 2025 (4:00 p.m., local time), according to 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 Pérez
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
Understanding Cuba's Political Prisoner Releases
What led to the release of political prisoners in Cuba?
The release of political prisoners in Cuba was influenced by negotiations with the United States and Vatican mediation, following the Cuban regime's announcement of a phased release of 553 individuals convicted of various crimes.
Who are some notable figures released?
Notable figures released include opposition leaders José Daniel Ferrer García, Félix Navarro Rodríguez, and Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo, as well as Tania Echevarría Menéndez from the Ladies in White movement.
Is this release considered a pardon or amnesty?
No, the release is not considered a pardon or amnesty. It involves early release benefits, which require the released individuals to adhere to conditions set by authorities.
What is the current number of political prisoners in Cuba?
As of the end of 2024, the number of political prisoners in Cuba was reported to be 1,161, according to the NGO Prisoners Defenders.