Priest Alberto Reyes questioned the silence regarding the issue, both governmental and ecclesiastical. "It's as if, suddenly, our political prisoners have been placed in limbo," he said.
Cuban priest Alberto Reyes, one of the most critical voices of the Government within the Catholic Church in Cuba, said that political prisoners have been left in limbo after the talks between the Havana regime and the Vatican.
Authorities announced they would release 553 prisoners last January, an hour after former US President Joe Biden's government removed Cuba from the list of countries that sponsor terrorism. The current administration of Donald Trunp returned to Havana to the list on his first day in the White House.
After the announcement, more than a hundred political prisoners were released. But since late January there has been no news of anyone else being released from prison. Neither the Government nor the church have commented on the matter.
"There has been absolute silence regarding the issue, at all levels, both governmental and ecclesial. It is as if, suddenly, our political prisoners had been placed in limbo, that indeterminate, abstract place, where you know when you enter but where the exits are a mystery," Reyes said in a post on his social networks on Friday.
"What happened to the gesture of "good will"? What happened to the good relations with the Vatican State? Is no one going to say anything? Is no one, from any side, going to ask for explanations? Is this going to be another of those moments in which a thick veil is drawn and we return to the old method of understandings where we all know and we all remain silent?" questioned the parish priest, who provides his services in a rural community in Camagüey.
For the priest "while there is silence and the island sinks, without horizon or hope, they, those who raised their voices for everyone, remain imprisoned, condemned, bound, forgotten."
"It will have to be said again and again, because while everyone's silence descends on this island, the causes that led these people to take to the streets remain: symbolic salaries and real hunger, lack of medicine, paralyzed life, handcuffed freedom, existence converted into a daily circle of struggle for survival," he noted.
The last releases of political prisoners in Cuba occurred on Monday, January 20, when at least 16 people were released from prison. In total, according to independent organizations, 158 were released. The Havana regime said that the releases of prisoners would occur within the framework and "spirit" of the Ordinary Jubilee of the year 2025 declared by Pope Francis.
Relatives of several political prisoners told Martí Noticias at that time that they were desperate due to the lack of information, and that there was talk in the prisons that no other political prisoners would be released.
The Cuban regime threatened to re-arrest political prisoners who had been released early if they fail to meet the "requirements." Humberto López is once again at the center of another chapter of terror directed at civil society.
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The Cuban regime issued new warnings to the recently released political prisoners under the benefit of early release, stating that they could be detained again if they do not meet the imposed requirements.
These statements were made on Friday during the state-run television program "Hacemos Cuba", which in its latest episode addressed the "National Exercise for Prevention and Confrontation of Crime and Social Indiscipline."
During the program, Colonel Danisét González Sánchez, head of the Information and Analysis Department of the General Directorate of the Revolutionary National Police (PNR), confirmed that meetings were held with individuals on parole, which even included high-ranking government officials.
“In the case of the meetings with criminal elements, individuals who are already under police surveillance were drawn in. Moreover, individuals who are currently enjoying the benefit of early release were also brought to these meetings,” explained González Sánchez.
The presenter of the program, Humberto López, took the opportunity to ask what had happened to some of the attendees of those meetings, who had not returned home.
"You tell me if I am right or not. I was told that in some places they called some who went to the meeting and didn't return home. Is that true, is it correct? Can they do that, is it legal? Why? What is the purpose of this action?" López asked with malicious eagerness.
The coronel responded: “Regarding those who were detained, I can tell you that there were sufficient elements indicating that they had violated the requirements under which they were granted benefits for those behaviors.”
"In the exercise, the intention was aimed, as part of the prevention activity, to exert greater influence and control over individuals displaying maladaptive behavior in the community, but also over those prone to committing crimes," added the PNR officer.
Veiled threats and police surveillance
According to González Sánchez, the regime maintains strict surveillance over individuals released under the benefit of early release, as well as those considered likely to commit crimes.
"People who are already under police surveillance were drawn to these meetings," González stated, justifying the arrests by arguing that "there had been a whole prior stepped-up effort involving the police, the family, community factors, and prevention groups."
This intimidation strategy is part of a broader tactic by the Cuban government to control the opposition and civil society.
Cuban authorities have intensified their rhetoric and actions as part of the anti-corruption campaign promoted by Miguel Díaz-Canel, which has resulted in the detection of tax violations amounting to 72 million pesos, the , and the closure of hundreds of private businesses across the island.
In recent weeks, the regime has intensified its repressive actions, with more than 3,300 arrests and summary trials, according to recent reports.
The exercise of prevention has also been used as a tool to discredit activists and opponents. Through state television, the regime has attempted to associate dissent with criminal activities and has intensified its rhetoric against those who denounce the situation in the country.
In the broadcast of "Hacemos Cuba," it was emphasized that control operations will remain active and that conditionally released individuals can be detained again if they do not comply with the strict conditions imposed.
"These individuals who had not managed to change their behavior were arrested and charged with the crime of disobedience," stated the representative from MININT invited to López's program, a government-supporting host known for defaming and discrediting activists, as well as intimidating independent civil society.
The airing of the ill-fated program last Friday reflects the regime's growing concern about social discontent and its intention to maintain strict control over opponents and the general public.
Although the "National Exercise for Prevention and Counteraction Against Crime and Social Indiscipline" took place in early December 2024, it was not until Friday that the Cuban regime devoted television airtime to it, intentionally highlighting the threat of a return to prison for those political prisoners granted early release, who began to be released in mid-January 2025.
The threat of new arrests for those released on early parole confirms the government’s strategy of repression and intimidation as mechanisms of social control.
Despite official efforts to project an image of order and legality, independent reports and civil society complaints continue to expose the reality of a country marked by political persecution and a lack of legal protections for its citizens.
To date, none of the 27 female or 127 male political prisoners released have been granted full freedom. All have been released under conditional release licenses or parole, remaining under threat of re-imprisonment if they “persist in their counterrevolutionary activities.” Many of these Cuban citizens were unjustly convicted in retaliation for their participation in the July 11, 2021 (11J) protests. Over 1,000 individuals remain imprisoned for political reasons on the island according to DefensaCD Cuba Decide.
The list of known released political prisoners as of January 20, 2025 is as follows:
| Name |
Release Conditions |
Province of Origen |
Date Released |
|
Abdel De la
Torre Hernandez
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Abdiel Cedeño
Martinez
|
Conditional Release |
Santiago de Cuba |
17/01/2025 |
|
Adan Kiubel
Castillo
|
N/A |
La Habana |
18-01-2025 |
|
Adel de la
Torre
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Adonis Garvizo
Otero
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Adrian
Echegoyen Espiñera
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Adrian Perez
Morera
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Adrián
Rodriguez Morera
|
Conditional Release |
San Antonio de los
Baños
|
19-01-2025 |
|
Alcides Firdo
Rodriguez
|
Conditional Release |
Arroyo Naranjo |
20-01-2025 |
|
Aleandry
Lechuga Junco
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Alejandro
Padrón Guerra
|
N/A |
La Habana |
16-01-2025 |
|
Alexander
Paredes Collado
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Alien Molina
Castel
|
N/A |
La Habana |
17-01-2025 |
|
Amauris Arrate
Hernandez
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Andrés Quinta
Torres
|
Conditional Release |
Palma Soriano |
19-01-2025 |
|
Andro Ledezma
Prieto
|
N/A |
Matanzas |
16-01-2025 |
|
Andy Ortega
Murgado
|
N/A |
Matanzas |
16-01-2025 |
|
Ángel María
Mesa Rodríguez
|
Conditional Release |
Guanajay |
20-01-2025 |
| Angel Mesa |
N/A |
La Habana |
20-01-2025 |
|
Ariadna López
Roque
|
Conditional Release |
Villa Clara |
20-01-2025 |
|
Armando Lázaro
Merlan Perez
|
Conditional Release |
Mayabeque |
17/01/2025 |
|
Arturo
Valentin Riverón
|
Conditional Release |
Mayabeque |
15-01-2025 |
|
Brenda Díaz
García
|
N/A |
N/A |
20/01/2025 |
|
Carlos Manuel
Pupo Rodriguez
|
Conditional Release |
Artemisa |
16-01-2025 |
|
Cesar Adrian
Delgado Correa
|
N/A |
Matanzas |
15-01-2025 |
|
Ciro Alexis
Casanova Perez
|
N/A |
Villa Clara |
16-01-2025 |
|
Cruz Santa
Misa Gomez
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Dainier Flores
Oliva
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Daisy
Rodriguez Alonso
|
N/A |
La Habana |
18-01-2025 |
|
Daniel Antonio
Diaz Galvez
|
N/A |
Santiago de Cuba |
N/A |
|
Daniel
Fernández Álvarez
|
Conditional Release |
Palma Soriano |
19-01-2025 |
|
Dariel Criuz
García
|
N/A |
La Habana |
15-01-2025 |
|
Dariel Cruz
Garcia
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Dariel Rosa
Perez
|
Conditional Release |
Artemisa |
18/01/2025 |
|
Daysi
Rodriguez Alfonso
|
Conditional Release |
La Habana |
N/A |
|
Deni Hernandez
Ramirez
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Donaida Perez
Paseiro
|
N/A |
Villa Clara |
15-01-2025 |
|
Edel Osvaldo
Lopez Nodarse
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Edwin
Rodriguez Fonseca
|
N/A |
N/A |
16-01-2025 |
|
Emiyoslán
Román Rodríguez
|
N/A |
La Güinera |
17-01-2025 |
|
Endris Fuentes
Zamora
|
Conditional Release |
N/A |
15-01-2025 |
|
Eriberto
Tellez Reinosa
|
N/A |
Guantanamo |
18-01-2025 |
|
Felix Navarro
Rodríguez
|
N/A |
Matanzas |
18-01-2025 |
|
Francisco José
Candiot García
|
Conditional Release |
Palma Soriano |
18-01-2025 |
|
Francisco
Rafael Villa Tamarí
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Francisco
Villa Tamarí
|
N/A |
Matanzas |
17-01-2025 |
|
Frandy
Gonzalez Leon
|
N/A |
La Habana |
17-01-2025 |
|
Frank Daniel
Roig Sotolongo
|
N/A |
La Habana |
16-01-2025 |
|
Frank Ernesto
Trujillo Hervis
|
Conditional Release |
Matanzas |
17-01-2025 |
|
Gilberto
Castillo Castillo
|
Conditional Release |
Artemisa |
18/01/2025 |
|
Gloria María
López Valle
|
N/A |
N/A |
16-01-2025 |
|
Henry Osmar
Sanchez Aparicio
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Heriberto
Tellez Reinosa
|
Conditional Release |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Hersel Zayas
Roldán
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Humberto
Morabal Cans
|
N/A |
Batabano |
17-01ro-2025 |
|
Iris Belkis
Rodriguez Oduardo
|
N/A |
Matanzas |
15-01-2025 |
|
Ismael Frank
Guanche Acosta
|
N/A |
La Habana |
18-01-2025 |
|
Iván Hernandez
Troya
|
N/A |
Artemisa |
17-01-2025 |
|
Jaime Alcides
Firdó Rodriguez
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Javier
González Férnandez
|
N/A |
N/A |
16-01-2025 |
|
Johander Perez
Gómez
|
N/A |
Camagüey |
17-01-2025 |
|
John Luis
Machado Marrero
|
Conditional Release |
Villa Clara |
20-01-2025 |
|
Jorge
Alexander Ilufro Perez
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Jorge Gabriel
Arruebarruena León
|
Conditional Release |
Villa Clara |
15-01-2025 |
|
Jorge Luis
Liriano Älvarez
|
Conditional Release |
Mayabeque |
18/01/2025 |
|
Jorge Luis
Lugones Lara
|
N/A |
N/A |
16-01-2025 |
|
Jorge Luis
Salazar Brioso
|
N/A |
N/A |
15-01-2025 |
|
Jorge Luis
Vazquez Orbera
|
N/A |
Artemisa |
17-01-2025 |
|
Jorge Serrano
Alonso
|
N/A |
Matanzas |
16-01-2025 |
|
José Alberto
Pio Torres
|
Conditional Release |
Artemisa |
16-01-2025 |
|
Jose Angel
Cuba García
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
José Antonio
Gómez León
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Jose Antonio
Gonzalez Guerrero
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Jose Daniel
Ferrer García
|
Bajo amenaza |
Santiago de Cuba |
16-01-2025 |
|
José Manuel
Arias Campo
|
Conditional Release |
Palma Soriano |
17-01-2025 |
|
José Miguel
Gómez Mondejár
|
Bajo amenaza |
Villa Clara |
15/01/2025 |
|
Juan Alberto
Matos Masó
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Juan Yanier
Antomarchi Nuñez
|
N/A |
N/A |
15/01/2025 |
|
Julián Manuel
Mazola Beltrán
|
Conditional Release |
Artemisa |
16/01/2025 |
|
Juvier Jimenez
Gómez
|
N/A |
Villa Clara |
16/01/2025 |
|
Karla Beirut
Rodriguez
|
Licencia Extrapenal |
La Habana |
15/01/2025 |
|
Lazara Iris
Hernandez
|
N/A |
La Habana |
17/01/2025 |
|
Lazaro
Rodríguez Ávila
|
Conditional Release |
Matanzas |
17/01/2025 |
|
Leisdani
Rodriguez Issac
|
N/A |
N/A |
16/01/2025 |
|
Leonel Tristá
García
|
Conditional Release |
Villa Clara |
20/01/2025 |
|
Leylandis
Puentes Vargas
|
N/A |
Matanzas |
17/01/2025 |
|
Liliana
Oropesa Ferrer
|
Licencia Extrapenal |
La Habana |
15/01/2025 |
|
Lisdani
Rodriguez Issac
|
Licencia Extrapenal |
Villa Clara |
15/01/2025 |
|
Liuver Mendez
Carranza
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Liván
Hernandez Sosa
|
Conditional Release |
Villa Clara |
15/01/2025 |
|
Liván
Mediaceja Heredia
|
Conditional Release |
Santiago de Cuba |
17/01/2025 |
| Lubones Lara |
Conditional Release |
Artemisa |
16/01/2025 |
|
Luis Robles
Elizastegui
|
N/A |
N/A |
16/01/2025 |
|
Magdiel
Rodríguez García
|
Bajo amenaza |
Villa Clara |
15/01/2025 |
|
Maikel Fleites
Rivalta
|
Conditional Release |
Villa Clara |
16/01/2025 |
|
Maikel
Gonzales Mura
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Mailene
Noguera Santiesteban
|
Conditional Release |
San Antonio de los
Baños
|
15/01/2025 |
|
Manuel Diaz
Rodríguez
|
Conditional Release |
Artemisa |
17/01/2025 |
|
Marcos Antonio
Pintueles Marrero
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Mariel Michel
Suarez Muñoz
|
N/A |
Matanzas |
16/01/2025 |
|
Mario Josué
Prieto Ricardo
|
N/A |
Holguín |
16/01/2025 |
|
Mariurka Diaz
Calvo
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Marlon Brando
Diaz Olivera
|
N/A |
La Habana |
16/01/2025 |
|
Maykel Fleites
Rivalda
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Maykel
Gonzáles Mura
|
N/A |
La Habana |
17/01/2025 |
|
Miner Chaviano
Mastache
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Nidia Bienes
Paseiro
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Noel Martinez
Tápanez
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Omar Hernandez
Calzadilla
|
Conditional Release |
San Antonio de los
Baños
|
17/01/2025 |
|
Orlando Pineda
Martinez
|
N/A |
Villa Clara |
16/01/2025 |
|
Pastor Lorenzo
Rosales
|
N/A |
La Habana |
17/01/2025 |
|
Pedro Albert
Sánchez
|
N/A |
La Habana |
17/01/2025 |
|
Pedro Nicolás
León
|
N/A |
Matanzas |
17/01/2025 |
|
Rafael Cutiño
Bazan
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Randy Arteaga
Rivero
|
N/A |
Villa Clara |
16/01/2025 |
|
Reinier Pupo
Anaya
|
N/A |
Matanzas |
17/01/2025 |
|
Reyna Yacnara
Batista
|
Licencia Extrapenal |
Camagüey |
15/01/2025 |
|
Reynel Pupo
Anaya
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Roberto Jesus
Marín Fernández
|
Conditional Release |
Matanzas |
17/01/2025 |
|
Robert Michel
Marín Fernández
|
Conditional Release |
Matanzas |
17/01/2025 |
|
Roberto Sosa
Cabrera
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Rodennis Ávila
Corrujo
|
Conditional Release |
Palma Soriano |
18/01/2025 |
|
Rogelio Lázaro
Domínguez Pérez
|
N/A |
Mayabeque |
15/01/2025 |
|
Rolando
Fernández Osorio
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Rolando
González Ärevalo
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Rolando Lopez
Rodriguez
|
N/A |
N/A |
18/01/2025 |
|
Rosa Jany
Espinosa
|
N/A |
San Antonio de los
Baños
|
18/01/2025 |
|
Rowland de
Jesús Castillo
|
Licencia Extrapenal |
La Habana |
15/01/2025 |
|
Santiago
Vázquez León
|
Conditional Release |
La Habana |
19/01/2025 |
|
Tania
Echevarría Ménéndez
|
N/A |
Matanzas |
19/01/2025 |
|
Uziel David
Abreu Mrtínez
|
N/A |
N/A |
15/01/2025 |
|
Victor
Alejandro Painceira Rodriguez
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Wilfredo
Castillo Gonzalez
|
N/A |
Matanzas |
16/01/2025 |
|
Yan Carlos
Martinez Bonne
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Yandier García
Labrada
|
N/A |
Las Tunas |
16/01/2025 |
|
Yanet Sanchez
Cocho
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Yanier Santana
Diaz
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Yanley Lopez
Basulto
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Yarelis Mesa
Vázquez
|
N/A |
Matanzas |
N/A |
|
Yeriel Cruz
Perez
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Yessica
Cohimbra
|
Conditional Release |
La Habana |
15/01/2025 |
|
Yilia Lucía
Oramas García
|
N/A |
Mayabeque |
16/01/2025 |
|
Yismel Alfonso
Oliva
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Yoandri
Reinier Sayú Silva
|
N/A |
La Habana |
17/01/2025 |
|
Yoel Consuegra
Avila
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Yoel Diaz
Hernandez
|
Conditional Release |
San Antonio de los
Baños
|
17/01/2025 |
|
Yoennis
Dominguez de la Rosa
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Yohandry
Ripoll Smith
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Yoslen
Dominguez Victores
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Yunier Jorge
Fleitas
|
N/A |
Artemisa |
17/01/2025 |
|
Yuniesky
Jackson Mensu
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Yunior
Rodriguez Rivero
|
N/A |
Santiago de Cuba |
17/01/2025 |
|
Yunior Sebey
Mena
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Yusnaira
González Perez
|
Conditional Release |
Santiago de Cuba |
17/01/2025 |
|
(Source: CENTRO DE DENUNCIAS)
WASHINGTON, Jan 20 - Newly sworn-in President Donald Trump on Monday revoked the Biden administration's last-minute decision to remove Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, the White House said.
Just hours after his inauguration to a second term, Trump signed a so-called "rescission" of then-President Joe Biden's Jan. 14 move that would have lifted the Communist-ruled island's designation as a terrorism-sponsoring nation.
Trump's decision, among dozens of revocations of what the incoming White House deemed "harmful" orders and actions by his Democratic predecessor, effectively keeps Cuba on a list that the Republican president himself placed Cuba on at the end of his first term in 2021.
Biden's announcement last week, which was accompanied by Cuba's agreement to free more than 500 prisoners from its jails, appeared aimed at rolling back many of the sanctions put in place by Trump during his previous four years in office.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel responded on social media late on Monday, calling Trump's decision to revoke Biden's measures an "act of mockery and abuse."
Cuba, which has always steadfastly denied any support for terrorism, had begun releasing a small number of prisoners as part of a broader plan negotiated with the Vatican. But with Trump's decision, it was unclear whether those releases would continue.
Removal of Cuba from the terrorism list would have eased related sanctions on an island already suffering a deep economic crisis.
Biden had also revoked a 2017 Trump order that restricted financial transactions with some military- and government-linked Cuban entities, according to a senior administration official.
In addition, Biden last week sought to prevent individuals from filing lawsuits against both Cuban entities and foreign companies under the Helms-Burton Act over property seized following Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution, the official said.
It was not clear whether Trump, a harsh Cuba critic who had worked during his first term to reverse Obama-era detente with Havana, would now allow those lawsuits to continue.
Last week, Cuba's government had called Biden's announcement a step in the "right direction," but accused the U.S. of continued "economic warfare" against the island, since the Cold War-era U.S. trade embargo against Cuba remained.
Many, if not all, of the prisoners released last week were arrested in association with unprecedented anti-government protests that took place in July 2021, the largest protests since Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution.
The U.S., European Union and human rights groups had criticized Cuba's response to the protests as repressive and heavy-handed.
HAVANA (AP) — Cuba started releasing some prisoners Wednesday as part of talks with the Vatican, a day after President Joe Biden’s administration announced his intent to lift the U.S. designation of the island nation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
More than a dozen people who were convicted of different crimes — and some of them were arrested after taking part in the historic 2021 protests — were released during the day, according to Cuban civil groups following the cases of detainees on the island.
Among those freed was tattooist Reyna Yacnara Barreto Batista, 24, who was detained in the 2021 protests and convicted to four years in prison for attacks and public disorder. She was released from a prison in the province of Camagüey, and told The Associated Press that eight men were also freed along with her.
On Tuesday, the U.S. government said it notified Congress about the intent to lift the designation of Cuba as part of a deal facilitated by the Vatican. Cuban authorities would release some of them before Biden’s administration ends on Jan. 20, officials said.