Amnesty International has called for the immediate release of seven prisoners in Cuba, detained for political reasons, urging the government to end political detentions entirely. According to Amnesty, the Cuban government’s process for releasing political prisoners lacks transparency and fairness, operating with arbitrary conditions. The organization’s Regional Director for the Americas, Ana Piquer, emphasized that those imprisoned for political reasons should be freed unconditionally. She urged President Miguel Díaz-Canel to cease using the criminal justice system as a tool for silencing dissent and punishing activism.
The individuals whose release is demanded were primarily involved in the widespread protests of July 11, 2021. These demonstrations, the most significant since the Cuban Revolution in 1959, arose in response to government measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with public frustrations over shortages and perceived lack of freedoms. Amnesty’s stance reflects ongoing concerns over Cuba’s handling of dissent and expression. More details are discussed in JURIST.
In a prior development, the Cuban government had agreed in January 2025 to release 553 prisoners, most of whom were linked to the 2021 protests, after discussions with the Vatican. However, reports indicate that only 211 prisoners have been freed, with some facing continued pressure through enforced exile or recapture. The situation showcases a complex interplay between promises and actions concerning political detainees in Cuba. This issue is indicative of the broader struggle for human rights and political freedoms within the nation, a narrative further explored by BBC News, shedding light on the tensions between government commitments and the realities faced by those involved in activism.