World
January 16, 2025 11:30
usa, cuba - Following USA's decision to remove Cuba from the terror list, the effects are being seen as political prisoners jailed in 2021 are starting to be released.
Following USA's decision to remove Cuba from the terror list, the effects are being seen as political prisoners jailed in 2021 are starting to be released. In response to the demand for the release of imprisoned political figures in 2021, Cuba announced that some prisoners have started to be released gradually. Cuba, which was decided to be removed from the list of 'countries that support terrorism' by the USA, reported that prisoners have started to be released.
The White House statement highlighted that after Cuba's announcement of the release of 2021 imprisoned 'political prisoners' in exchange for being removed from the list of 'countries that support terrorism', the Havana government took action on the matter.
Various prisoners convicted of different crimes in Cuba have been announced to be released gradually.
The civil society organization 'Cuban Observatory for Human Rights' confirmed the release of 18 people.
Reyna Yacnara Barreto Batista, who served 4 years for disrupting public order in 2021 and was released, said in a statement to the press, 'They knocked on the door at 03:00. I was sleeping in the cell and they told me to collect all my belongings, that I was free. The whole family is celebrating.'
The civil society organization 'Justice 11J' in Cuba stated in November 2024 that more than 550 people were arrested in connection with the protests in 2021.
Following the 'terror list' decision of the Joe Biden administration in the USA, the Havana government announced yesterday that 553 prisoners would be released.
In July 2021, thousands of Cubans took to the streets to protest the serious economic crisis, including widespread power outages and food shortages.
The arrests of protesters led to international criticism against the Havana government, with Cuban officials pointing to US sanctions as the cause of the unrest.
The White House announcement on January 14 stated that according to the official notification sent to Congress, Cuba will be removed from the list of 'countries that support terrorism'.
Accordingly, Cuba will be removed from the list in exchange for the release of 'political prisoners' jailed in 2021.
Former US President Barack Obama removed Cuba from the list of countries supporting terrorism on May 29, 2015. The Trump administration, which took office later, re-added Cuba to this list in the last week of its term in January 2021.
After Cuba's official removal, North Korea, Iran, and Syria will remain on the list.