The Cuban government has granted pardons to 2,010 Cuban prisoners ahead of Easter. This marks a significant clemency move just weeks after it released 14 prisoners less than a month ago.
Cuba frees over 2,000 detainees in Holy Week clemency drive
The Cuban government described the decision as a humanitarian and sovereign gesture. It says this occurred within the context of the religious celebrations of Holy Week.
Authorities have not released the list of beneficiaries nor detailed the specific reasons behind each pardon. However, the official statement specified that those receiving clemency have served a significant part of their sentence.
“young people, women, people over 60 years of age as well as foreign nationals and Cuban citizens residing abroad,” The document further explains.
Cuba prisoners: Washington pressure mounts as Havana cites fifth mass pardon
The announcement comes as Cuba faces continued pressure from Washington. This includes a long-standing oil embargo.
In its statement, the Cuban government emphasised that this pardon represents the fifth. It also said the last happens since 2011.
Authorities report that over 11,000 people have benefited from clemency gestures during that period.
In another development, a US oil blockade has severely disrupted activities in Cuba, as the country is rationing energy to keep essential functions running. This has left the 11 million people in the country without electricity to carry out essential activities.
Meanwhile, a Canadian politician and activist, Avi Lewis, has accused US President Donald Trump of fuelling a humanitarian crisis in Cuba through an oil blockade. Lewis stated that the policy is causing devastating power outages and rationing for the island’s 11 million people.