Overview
- Authorities started freeing inmates on Friday at Havana’s La Lima prison, where families greeted newly released prisoners carrying discharge papers, AFP reported.
- Cuba announced the pardon on Thursday as a Holy Week gesture and said decisions were based on conduct, time served, the nature of offenses, and health.
- Officials said the releases include young people, women, and those over 60, and exclude convictions for murder, sexual assault, drug crimes, theft, and crimes against authority.
- It remains unclear whether any political detainees are included, with rights groups counting more than 1,200 such cases and the U.S. State Department saying it is seeking clarity.
- The move follows a smaller March release linked to Vatican outreach and comes as the U.S. pressure campaign squeezed fuel supplies before a Russian tanker was allowed to deliver oil this week, with a second shipment planned.