Cuba releasing 2,010 prisoners as the US pressures the island's government

*** tanker full of Russian oil is the first to come to Cuba in over 3 months. It is *** vital lifeline to *** country that has been running on fumes. The issue though is that while this oil is so important to get the economy running again, it will only be running for *** short time. Energy analysts tell us that the oil aboard will only supply Cuba's grid for less than 2 weeks, really. So while it is very notable that Russia has been able to get *** tanker through the oil blockade set up by the Trump administration, which apparently says that they have allowed this boat to come in, but they're studying whether or not further boats can arrive to this island. It still is leaving this island essentially at the mercy of the oil blockade. We don't know if other ships will come in. We don't know if other donations will be sent here because at this point where Cuba is depending on the generosity of other countries, *** generosity that can certainly run into the hundreds of millions of dollars, and Russia has an outstanding. Debt that Cuba owes that country going back to the Cold War of about *** billion dollars. So any further oil shipments you would expect would be added to that bill. But Russia and other countries say that Cuba has been *** longtime ally of theirs, that they want to defy this oil blockade which the Trump administration has put in place to try to open up. This island economically and politically and despite this small bit of good news that will allow the economy here to survive *** little bit longer, Donald Trump has said that Cuba is next, that essentially this island is in his sights, and that one way or another he expects to change the government here or bring it down. Patrick Oppmann, CNN Havana. I don't.

Updated: 8:02 AM EDT Apr 3, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Updated: 8:02 AM EDT Apr 3, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

The Cuban government said Thursday it would release 2,010 prisoners in a move that comes while the Trump administration puts extreme pressure on the island's government with a suffocating oil blockade.The announcement said the pardons were a “humanitarian gesture” in connection with Holy Week and didn’t mention mounting pressures with the U.S.The government said the prisoners affected are foreigners and Cubans, including women, the elderly and young people. It didn't say when they were being released or under what conditions, nor did it mention the crimes they were accused of committing.Authorities also provided no details on whether any of those pardoned were protesters convicted and sentenced for terrorism, contempt or public disorder.Cuba’s government denies holding political prisoners, but the activist group Prisoners Defended registered 1,214 people imprisoned for political reasons in Cuba as of February.Cuban authorities said the decision “was based on a careful analysis of the characteristics of the crimes committed by those sanctioned, their good behavior in prison, having served a significant portion of their sentence, and their health status,” according to a statement published in state media.The release comes as the Trump administration has placed extreme pressure on Cuba’s government, imposing an oil blockade for months that has fueled blackouts and left many civilians suffering.Cuba periodically frees prisoners at key moments.In January last year, Cuba’s government released 553 prisoners as part of talks with the Vatican, a day after the Biden administration announced its intent to lift the U.S. designation of the island nation as a state sponsor of terrorism.Last month, Cuba released 51 people from the island’s prisons in an unexpected move that officials said stems from a spirit of goodwill and close relations with the Vatican.The government said Thursday's announcement was the fifth prisoner release since 2011, and that it has freed more than 11,000 people.The announcement come just months after the U.S. deposed ex-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and pressured that nation's government to make radical changes, including releasing prisoners detained for political reasons and passing an amnesty law.

HAVANA —

The announcement said the pardons were a “humanitarian gesture” in connection with Holy Week and didn’t mention mounting pressures with the U.S.

The government said the prisoners affected are foreigners and Cubans, including women, the elderly and young people. It didn't say when they were being released or under what conditions, nor did it mention the crimes they were accused of committing.

Authorities also provided no details on whether any of those pardoned were protesters convicted and sentenced for terrorism, contempt or public disorder.

Cuba’s government denies holding political prisoners, but the activist group Prisoners Defended registered 1,214 people imprisoned for political reasons in Cuba as of February.

Cuban authorities said the decision “was based on a careful analysis of the characteristics of the crimes committed by those sanctioned, their good behavior in prison, having served a significant portion of their sentence, and their health status,” according to a statement published in state media.

The release comes as the Trump administration has placed extreme pressure on Cuba’s government, imposing an oil blockade for months that has fueled blackouts and left many civilians suffering.

Cuba periodically frees prisoners at key moments.

In January last year, Cuba’s government released 553 prisoners as part of talks with the Vatican, a day after the Biden administration announced its intent to lift the U.S. designation of the island nation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Last month, Cuba released 51 people from the island’s prisons in an unexpected move that officials said stems from a spirit of goodwill and close relations with the Vatican.

The government said Thursday's announcement was the fifth prisoner release since 2011, and that it has freed more than 11,000 people.

The announcement come just months after the U.S. deposed ex-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and pressured that nation's government to make radical changes, including releasing prisoners detained for political reasons and passing an amnesty law.

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