Trending Now - Cuba to Free 51 Inmates Following International Pressure
WHO:
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel is scheduled to speak early on March 13th, 2026, in a rare meeting with the press.
Cuba’s government
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel
Nonprofit organization Prisoners Defenders
President Trump and members of his administration
José Daniel Ferrer, prominent dissident
WHAT:
Cuba will release 51 people from prisons.
The government has granted pardons to 9,905 inmates since 2010.
In the past three years, another 10,000 people sentenced to imprisonment were released.
As of February 2026, there were 1,214 political prisoners in Cuba.
WHERE:
Cuba is in talks with Washington regarding fuel supplies, as no fuel has entered the island in three months.
Cuba
Havana
WHEN:
The announcement regarding the release of prisoners was made on March 12th, 2026, just hours before President Díaz-Canel's press meeting scheduled for March 13th, 2026.
The announcement regarding the release of prisoners was made on March 12th, 2026, just hours before President Díaz-Canel's press meeting.
The announcement was made on March 12th, 2026.
The release will take place in the coming days.
José Daniel Ferrer was released in January 2025.
Ferrer left Cuba in October 2025.
WHY:
The release is described as an unexpected move amid pressure from the Trump administration, which has sought to block oil shipments to Cuba in recent months.
The release of prisoners is described as stemming from a spirit of goodwill and close relations with the Vatican.
The Trump administration has sought to block oil shipments to Cuba in recent months, worsening the country's energy crisis.
The release is described as an act of goodwill stemming from close relations with the Vatican.
The Trump administration has put immense pressure on Cuba, including blocking oil shipments.
HOW:
The Cuban government stated that the release will take place in the coming days, and it did not identify the individuals to be released, except to say that "all have served a significant part of their sentence and have maintained good conduct in prison."
The Trump-appointed top federal prosecutor in Miami is weighing possible criminal charges against Cuban government officials.
The Cuban government stated that all individuals to be released have served a significant part of their sentence and maintained good conduct in prison.
(UPDATED March 13, 2026 17:09 UTC)
On March 12, 2026, just hours before President Díaz-Canel's press meeting, the Cuban government announced an unexpected release of prisoners, a move influenced by pressure from the Trump administration, which has been working to block oil shipments to Cuba. The government indicated that the release will occur in the coming days but did not specify who would be released, only noting that all individuals have served a significant part of their sentence and demonstrated good conduct while incarcerated. This announcement comes as tensions continue to shape the relationship between the U.S. and Cuba.
--
(UPDATED March 13, 2026 15:09 UTC)
Cuba is currently in discussions with Washington about fuel supplies, as the island has not received any fuel in the past three months. This dialogue comes alongside the release of prisoners, which officials say reflects a spirit of goodwill and the close relationship with the Vatican. These developments highlight ongoing efforts to improve relations between the two nations.
--
(UPDATED March 13, 2026 11:07 UTC)
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel is set to address the press early today in a rare meeting, following an announcement made yesterday about the release of prisoners. This comes as the Trump administration has been working to block oil shipments to Cuba, exacerbating the country's ongoing energy crisis. Additionally, the Trump-appointed top federal prosecutor in Miami is considering potential criminal charges against officials in the Cuban government.
--
(UPDATED March 13, 2026 09:07 UTC)
Cuba's government announced on March 12 that it will release 51 individuals from prisons in the coming days, as part of a goodwill gesture influenced by its close ties with the Vatican. Since 2010, the Cuban government has granted pardons to nearly 10,000 inmates, and as of February 2026, there were still 1,214 political prisoners in the country. The Cuban authorities emphasized that all those being released have served a significant portion of their sentences and demonstrated good behavior while incarcerated.