Cuba has commenced a significant release of prisoners as part of ongoing negotiations facilitated by the Vatican, shortly after President Joe Biden's administration expressed its intention to lift the U.S. designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism. This development, announced on Wednesday, involves the release of more than a dozen individuals convicted of various crimes, including those arrested during the historic protests in 2021.

A notable individual among those freed is Reyna Yacnara Barreto Batista, a 24-year-old tattoo artist who was sentenced to four years for participating in the protests. She reported her release from a prison in Camagüey and mentioned that eight men were also freed alongside her. These releases followed the U.S. notification to Congress about its plan to lift the designation, a move reported by multiple sources including AP News and CBS News.

Hours following the U.S. announcement, the Cuban foreign ministry communicated with Pope Francis, stating that it planned to gradually release 553 convicts while exploring legal and humanitarian avenues for their release. Interestingly, while the Cuban government emphasized that the decision for the releases was rooted in a forthcoming Ordinary Jubilee in 2025, it did not directly link these actions to the U.S. decision on terrorism designation. Cuba's foreign minister, Bruno Rodríguez, remarked on the separateness of the issues, suggesting that "You can reverse a country's status on that list, but the tremendous damage to U.S. foreign policy cannot be undone," criticizing the designation as a tool of political coercion rather than effective anti-terrorism policy.

By 4 p.m. EST on the day of the release, the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights reported that 18 prisoners had been set free, including Barreto Batista, who recounted her experience: "At three in the morning they knocked," she told the AP. "I was sleeping (in the cell) and they told me to gather all my things, that I was free." She noted that although they were released, there was no pardon; rather, a warning to remain on good behavior to avoid being sent back to prison.

This wave of releases comes amidst Cuba's recovery from widespread protests in July 2021, where thousands demanded action against economic hardships including power outages and shortages. The subsequent governmental crackdown has generated significant international criticism and has perpetuated a narrative in Cuba that blames U.S. sanctions for its social unrest. As of November, an estimated 554 individuals remained imprisoned due to their involvement in these protests.

The lifting of the U.S. terrorism designation indicates a potential thawing in Cuba-U.S. relations, but challenges remain as the political landscape in the U.S. may shift with the incoming administration. Critics express concern that the upcoming Trump administration, represented by Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio, known for advocating tight sanctions against Cuba, may reverse these diplomatic strides.

For ongoing coverage on this evolving story, visit VOA News.