Cuba to release prisoners amid shift in US stance

Cuban authorities announced a decision to release 553 prisoners, a significant step taken shortly after US President Joe Biden informed Congress of his intention to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

US support and Cuban promises

Biden explained the decision by stating that the Cuban leadership had not supported international terrorism over the past six months and assured that it would adhere to this policy in the future. This statement was a landmark moment in the relations between the two countries, despite their long history of tension.

Cuba's positive reaction and regret over sanctions

Cuba's communist leadership responded positively to Washington's moves, expressing gratitude for the "movement in the right direction". However, Havana also expressed regret that the US economic sanctions, imposed as far back as 1962, remain in force. Cuban authorities consider these measures the main cause of the severe economic crisis, which manifests in shortages of food, medicine, fuel and electricity.

Cuban president's reaction to possible Trump return

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel sharply condemned the continuation of the sanctions, calling them "genocidal". He emphasised that Cuba is ready for new challenges that may arise in the event of Donald Trump's return to power, whose administration re-added the country to the list of state sponsors of terrorism in 2021.