Cuba Releases First Jailed Anti-Government Protesters Following US Agreement

Cuba has begun releasing the first group of prisoners, part of an agreement made with the United States. The release follows a deal brokered by the Catholic Church, where President Joe Biden agreed to remove Cuba from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, just days before his term ended. In return, the Cuban government committed to freeing 553 prisoners, many of whom were detained during the anti-government protests that erupted across the island in 2021.

While Havana has cautiously welcomed the deal, there are concerns over its longevity, particularly after President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, indicated that the agreement could be reversed under the new administration. Rubio, during his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday, remarked that the Biden administration’s decision to lift certain sanctions on Cuba may not be binding, signaling potential shifts in policy. Mike Waltz, Trump’s choice for National Security Adviser, also suggested that the incoming administration could reverse these actions.

Despite these uncertainties, Cuba has already released approximately 20 prisoners as of Wednesday, according to local NGOs. One of the freed individuals was 53-year-old Donaida Pérez Paseiro, who had been sentenced to eight years in prison for participating in the 2021 protests. During these protests, Cuban citizens demanded greater government action to alleviate severe food shortages and address rising prices. In a social media post, Pérez Paseiro claimed that the Cuban government had used her and other detainees as “bargaining chips” to secure Cuba’s removal from the US terrorism list. She added that she would continue to “fight for Cuba’s freedom.”

Another prisoner released on Wednesday was Dariel Cruz García, a 23-year-old who had been sentenced to 15 years for sedition after joining the protests. Cruz García shared that his sentence had been reduced and he would now serve the remainder of his sentence at home. He expressed his relief, stating, “I escaped from hell to be with my family,” while pledging to behave in order to move forward with his life.

The releases represent a significant moment in Cuba-US relations, though the future of the agreement remains uncertain, depending on the political direction under the incoming US administration.

Maricela Sosa, the vice-president of Cuba’s highest court, clarified on national TV that the individuals being released had not received an amnesty or pardon. She warned that those freed could be re-arrested if they violated the conditions of their parole. This statement underscores the precarious nature of the releases, with the Cuban government maintaining control over the terms of freedom for those incarcerated in connection with the 2021 anti-government protests.

Meanwhile, hundreds of families remain in limbo, anxiously awaiting news about whether their loved ones will be included in the list of the 553 prisoners Cuba has agreed to free. The uncertainty is palpable, as many families are desperate for any communication from their incarcerated relatives. Dariel Cruz García’s mother spoke to Reuters, expressing the collective distress: “They’re desperate, all waiting with tremendous anxiety for a call from their children.” The emotional toll on the families highlights the human element of this ongoing political situation, where hope and fear are closely intertwined as the release process unfolds.

Courtesy: NBC News

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