The Cuban dictatorship announced the release of 51 political prisoners after pressure from Trump

The communist regime of Cuba announced this Thursday that it will release 51 political prisoners in the coming days, a measure that the government itself described as a “sovereign” decision and which it officially linked to efforts made with the Vatican.

The announcement comes in a context of growing international pressure on Havana, particularly from the administration of US President Donald Trump, which has intensified sanctions, diplomatic pressure and energy restrictions against the Cuban regime with the objective of forcing political reforms and economic on the island.

The announcement was made by the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which explained in a statement that the beneficiaries have already served a significant part of their “sentences” and maintained good behavior in prison. According to the official version, release is part of the usual mechanisms of the country's criminal system.

However, releases in the Cuban system do not imply a full pardon, but rather a prison benefit that allows the prisoner to leave the detention center while continuing to serve the rest of the sentence under certain conditions.

Several international human rights organizations have repeatedly pointed out that a significant part of those arrested in Cuba are considered political prisoners, imprisoned for demonstrations, activism or criticism of the dictatorship that governs the impoverished

island.

The announcement also comes in the midst of a deep economic and energy crisis on the island, with massive blackouts, fuel shortages and growing difficulties for the functioning of the economy.

In recent months, Washington has intensified its pressure on Havana. Trump recently stated that the collapse of the Cuban regime would be “only a matter of time”, and announced that his government will maintain political and economic pressure on the island

.

This is not the first time that the Cuban government has announced the release of detainees in the midst of external negotiations. In 2025, the island had already released more than 500 inmates after an agreement with the US administration and with the mediation of the Vatican, a process in which numerous political prisoners were also released

.

Cuban dictator Miguel Díaz-Canel announced that this Friday at 7:30 in the morning he will give a special message on national television. No further details were provided about the content of the announcement, although it is expected to be known through it if the release represents a real change in the situation of the islanders or a simple maneuver

by the regime.