Cuba to Release 51 Prisoners in Vatican-Brokered Deal

Havana, Cuba – Cuba announced on Thursday it will release 51 prisoners in the coming days following an agreement with the Vatican, a move occurring amidst increasing pressure for political reform and a severe economic crisis. The release comes approximately two weeks after Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.

Goodwill Gesture and Ongoing Dialogue

The Cuban Foreign Ministry stated the decision reflects the “close and fluid relations” between the Cuban government and the Holy See, particularly regarding the review and release of prisoners. According to the ministry, all those released have served a significant portion of their sentences and have demonstrated good conduct while incarcerated.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, affirmed the Holy See is actively promoting dialogue on Cuba and has undertaken “the necessary steps” to encourage a negotiated solution to the challenges facing the island nation. He highlighted recent contacts with both Cuban and U.S. Officials as part of this effort.

Recent Diplomatic Exchanges

The meeting between Foreign Minister Rodríguez Parrilla and Pope Leo XIV took place on February 28, with Rodríguez attending as a special envoy of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez. Following the audience, Rodríguez expressed his gratitude to the pontiff on X (formerly Twitter).

Prior to this, on February 20, Mike Hammer, the head of the U.S. Diplomatic mission in Havana, met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, to discuss conditions in Cuba and the role of the Catholic Church in Cuban society.

Past Prisoner Releases

Cuba has a history of releasing prisoners through similar agreements. Havana reports having granted pardons to 9,905 inmates since 2010 and early release to another 10,000 over the past three years. In March 2025, 553 prisoners were granted early release in another Vatican-brokered deal.

Political Prisoners and Human Rights Concerns

While the Cuban government maintains that the releases are a common practice within its criminal justice system, human rights groups estimate that hundreds of political prisoners remain incarcerated. As of February 2026, Prisoners Defenders reported 1,214 political prisoners in Cuba. It remains unclear whether any of the 51 prisoners slated for release are classified as political prisoners.

The Cuban government has consistently rejected accusations that its decisions are influenced by U.S. Pressure.