Cuba to Release 51 Prisoners in Unexpected Move

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The Cuban government announced it will release 51 people from prisons in the coming days, in an unexpected move that comes as the Trump administration increases pressure on the country. The government did not identify who it would release, but said they have served a significant part of their sentence and maintained good conduct in prison. The announcement was made just hours before Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel is scheduled to speak to address national and international issues.

Why it matters

The release of prisoners, some of whom may be political dissidents, is seen as a potential goodwill gesture by the Cuban government amid heightened tensions with the Trump administration. The U.S. has sought to block oil shipments to Cuba and is weighing possible criminal charges against Cuban officials, putting immense pressure on the island nation.

The details

The Cuban government said the release is an act of goodwill stemming from the country's close relationship with the Vatican, which has helped broker prisoner release deals and U.S.-Cuba normalization talks in the past. The government added that it has granted pardons to 9,905 inmates since 2010 and released another 10,000 people sentenced to imprisonment in the past three years.

• The 51 prisoners will be released in the coming days.
• Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel is scheduled to speak early Friday to address national and international issues.

What they’re saying

What’s next

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