Cuba has officially released 553 prisoners under a Vatican-mediated agreement, completing a process that originally stemmed from a deal between the Biden administration and the Cuban government. Despite the subsequent reversal of this agreement by former U.S. President Donald Trump, the Cuban Supreme Court confirmed the finalization of prison releases this week. The release of these inmates is a response to longstanding international pressure from various human rights organizations and the Catholic Church, advocating for the liberation of those detained during the mass protests that occurred in July 2021.

In January 2021, Biden had removed Cuba from the American list of state sponsors of terrorism, effectively facilitating the potential release of what were described as "political prisoners". However, just days after taking office, Trump reinstated sanctions and halted the progress of the deal, causing significant delays in the release process. Reports indicate that as of now, approximately 200 detainees reportedly linked to the protests have been released over recent weeks.

The Cuban government has publicly characterized the freed individuals as those “sanctioned for diverse crimes,” rather than clearly identifying them as political prisoners, which has raised skepticism among human rights advocates. As noted by watchdog groups, while around 212 prisoners have been confirmed released, notable political dissidents such as José Daniel Ferrer and dissident artists Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara remain incarcerated.

The culmination of this mass release signals a complex interplay of diplomatic negotiations and ongoing human rights discussions, as the Cuban people continue to call for greater political freedoms amid an economic crisis.