The Cuban government has made a significant admission through Carlos Fernández de Cossío, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. In a revealing interview, he acknowledged that while political prisoners are indeed present in Cuba, they are not part of the discussions with the United States.
“In Cuba, we are not discussing prisoners in our negotiations with the United States. This is an internal matter for Cuba. It is not a bilateral issue with the U.S., and they are aware of this,” de Cossío stated during NBC's Meet the Press.
This statement marks a departure from the regime’s usual stance, which typically involved denying the existence of political prisoners and avoiding public discourse on the subject.
For instance, during Barack Obama's historic visit to Cuba in March 2016, Raúl Castro was challenged by a journalist during a joint press conference with Obama regarding political prisoners. Castro outright denied their existence, demanding the journalist to provide specific names, thereby attempting to deflect the issue and uphold the regime’s public denial policy.
In stark contrast, Fernández de Cossío’s admission acknowledges the issue but emphasizes its exclusion from the bilateral agenda, reinforcing the regime’s unwavering stance.
Historical Context and Recent Developments
The topic of political prisoners is not new in U.S.-Cuba relations. In 2025, prisoner releases were associated with talks mediated by the Vatican, implicitly supported by the U.S., aiming to ease tensions and achieve humanitarian commitments.
During this process, over 500 individuals were released, including at least a hundred identified as political prisoners by the Cuban Human Rights Observatory. However, the regime framed these releases as isolated gestures, not part of a structured negotiation with Washington, underscoring its firm line on political prisoners.
In March 2026, the Cuban government announced the release of 51 inmates, presenting it as a gesture linked to diplomatic contacts with the Vatican. Officially described as part of “humanitarian actions,” the move aimed to ease tensions and demonstrate goodwill in the context of U.S. relations.
Yet, independent organizations and civil society activists questioned the transparency of these releases. Groups like Prisoners Defenders, Justicia 11J, and Cubalex pointed out that not all those released were political prisoners, with many being common inmates or remaining under restrictive conditional release.
Cuba's Stance on Internal and Bilateral Matters
On Sunday, Fernández de Cossío reiterated that Cuba will not negotiate its political system or internal reforms. While bilateral issues such as security, crime prevention, trade, and migration are up for discussion, so-called "internal matters" remain off the table. “Cuba is a sovereign nation. We do not negotiate our government structure or political rights with another power,” he asserted.
Analysts and exiled communities have noted that despite the U.S. and international organizations viewing political prisoners as a central issue, Cuba continues to treat it as an internal affair, even amid economic and political pressures.
The Deputy Minister's remarks signal a media turning point as the existence of political prisoners is publicly acknowledged for the first time, clarifying their exclusion from current dialogues.
This move reflects the regime's strategy to withstand external pressure without compromising its political core. While engaging in dialogue with Washington to safeguard bilateral interests, it staunchly defends its stance on political prisoners, an issue previously dodged or denied in public.
Ultimately, Fernández de Cossío’s statements combined acknowledgment and rejection: admitting the existence of political prisoners but confirming their exclusion from negotiations.
Key Questions on U.S.-Cuba Relations and Political Prisoners
What did Carlos Fernández de Cossío admit about political prisoners in Cuba?
Carlos Fernández de Cossío admitted that political prisoners exist in Cuba, but stated they are not part of the negotiations with the United States, considering it an internal matter.
How does the Cuban government view negotiations with the United States?
The Cuban government views negotiations with the United States as focusing on bilateral issues like security and trade, while excluding internal matters like political prisoners and political reforms from the agenda.
What was the international reaction to Cuba's political prisoner releases?
International organizations and civil society activists have criticized the lack of transparency in Cuba's political prisoner releases, arguing the process remains selective and opaque, with many prisoners still under restrictive conditions.