On January 14, 2025, the Cuban government announced the "gradual" release of 553 individuals convicted of various crimes as part of an agreement with the Vatican. However, according to the NGO Prisoners Defenders, 198 political prisoners were released to a hybrid prison-house arrest model, with 94% of them having been eligible for open regime, parole, or immediate release for over a year. Other organizations, such as Justicia 11J, report the release of 180 individuals.
Prisoners Defenders claims the releases occurred between January 15 and 20, with one case noted on January 30. Yet, the freed individuals are not entirely free, subjected instead to stringent restrictions. These include bans on leaving their hometowns, limitations on speaking to social media or the press, and requirements to report regularly to judicial authorities. The organization criticizes these measures as fraudulent, asserting that most of the released individuals should have already received penal benefits. They also challenge the transparency of the process, accusing the regime of mixing political prisoners with common criminals to inflate release numbers.
Discrepancies in Reported Numbers
The NGO's analysis highlights that the figure of 553 political prisoners, cited by the Cuban regime following its Vatican agreement, aligns with audits of peaceful protestors imprisoned solely due to the July 11 and 12, 2021 protests and immediate subsequent events. This count excludes 378 other prisoners of conscience still incarcerated. Prisoners Defenders questions whether the regime has completed the releases and if it did so by freeing common criminals, dubbing it a "theatrical farce" in reference to the purported Jubilee 2025 agreement with the Vatican.
Health Concerns and Demographics of Released Prisoners
The report further underscores the critical health conditions of many released individuals, detailing severe malnutrition, untreated asthma, and mental health disorders. The average age of those released is 37, with 86.36% being men. Notably, 98% of those released have been in prison since the July 11 protests.
Continued Political Imprisonment
Despite these releases, the total number of political prisoners in Cuba remains significantly high, with 1,158 individuals still under severe restrictions, including 442 under house arrest. It's noteworthy that the initiation of political prisoner releases in Cuba coincided with the Biden administration's announcement of removing Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, a decision reversed by Trump upon taking office. Prisoners Defenders notes that the regime halted the releases at least a day before Trump's inauguration, likely "scheduling the releases" until shortly before the new Republican president took office.
The most prominent political prisoner released after the Vatican deal was José Daniel Ferrer. In an interview with CiberCuba, Ferrer acknowledged the possibility of returning to prison at any time. He had already completed his sentence when released under surveillance and strict restrictions. He has already been summoned to appear before the police, a summons he has refused.
Key Questions About Cuba's Prisoner Releases
How many political prisoners were released in Cuba under the Vatican agreement?
According to Prisoners Defenders, 198 political prisoners were released, while Justicia 11J reports 180 excarcerations.
What restrictions do the released prisoners face?
The released prisoners are under strict restrictions, including bans on leaving their hometowns, curbs on expressing themselves on social media or to the press, and obligations to report regularly to judicial authorities.
What is the health status of the released prisoners?
Many of the released prisoners are in critical health, suffering from severe malnutrition, asthma, and untreated mental health disorders.