In a landmark move, the Cuban government announced it will release 553 prisoners following the United States’ decision to remove Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. This significant policy shift, made by the outgoing U.S. administration, has been hailed by Cuban officials, though they argue the move, while promising, falls short of full reconciliation.
On January 15, 2025, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez confirmed that the Cuban government would free 553 individuals who have been convicted of various crimes, including some who were imprisoned for their involvement in peaceful protests. According to Rodríguez, the prisoner release will occur in phases, though it remains unclear when the entire process will be completed.
“This is a step in the right direction, but the measures remain delayed and limited,” Rodríguez said during a broadcast on social media platform X. He emphasized that Cuba should never have been placed on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, describing the decision as “arbitrary and politically motivated.” He continued by pointing out the severe economic and social ramifications that the designation had on the Cuban population, particularly by exacerbating scarcities and fueling migration to the U.S.
For decades, Cuba has been subject to a U.S. trade embargo, a legacy dating back to 1962, which has severely restricted the country’s access to global markets and foreign resources. Rodríguez called for the immediate end of the embargo, which he argued continues to cripple the island nation’s economy and create undue hardships for ordinary Cubans.
Despite the relief Cuba may feel following the U.S. policy change, Rodríguez’s statements indicated that much work remains. “The persecution of fuel supplies, medical cooperation programs, financial transactions, tourism, and U.S. citizens’ travels—all vital sources of income for our people—are still very much in place,” he added.
The U.S. decision to rescind Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism comes as the Biden administration prepares to hand over power to President Donald Trump’s successor. It was a last-minute reversal of a controversial move made by former President Trump, who had re-added Cuba to the list just days before leaving office in 2021. The removal, however, is not final and will require congressional review before it can be fully implemented.
While many Cuban officials and citizens welcomed the announcement, the news raised concerns about what the future holds for relations between the two nations, especially with a new U.S. administration taking office. Trump’s administration had previously reinstated Cuba’s designation on the terrorism list, a move that contributed to strained relations between the two nations during his presidency.
Cuba’s government has long condemned the U.S. embargo, which it argues has deprived the nation of vital resources needed to improve the lives of its citizens. The embargo, coupled with the terrorism designation, has sparked numerous debates both in Cuba and the international community. Many argue that these actions are a form of punishment for the Cuban people, rather than a legitimate response to Cuba’s alleged actions on the world stage.
The announcement to release the prisoners comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of Cuba’s human rights record, particularly regarding political dissent. Hundreds of individuals remain in custody for their roles in the 2021 protests, which were sparked by widespread discontent over the government’s handling of the economy and the COVID-19 pandemic. The protests saw thousands of Cubans take to the streets to demand change, leading to a violent crackdown by Cuban security forces.
“While we celebrate this decision, we also recognize that the U.S. still has significant control over our future through sanctions, trade restrictions, and other coercive measures,” said Cuban political analyst Rosa González. “The real challenge will be if and when the United States takes further steps to normalize relations with Cuba and fully lift the embargo.”
The prisoner release itself could have a profound impact on Cuba’s international image, especially as the country continues to struggle with mounting internal pressures and demands for reform. Some observers have noted that this move, coupled with the symbolic U.S. decision, may signal a potential thaw in relations between Cuba and the West.
Despite this, Cuba remains cautious about the broader implications of U.S. foreign policy, particularly under the looming specter of political shifts. The possibility that Trump, who has taken a hardline stance on Cuba, could reverse Biden’s decision raises concerns about the future of Cuba-U.S. relations.
The U.S. policy shift also opens the door for further diplomatic discussions between the two countries. However, many experts argue that Cuba must address internal challenges and make broader reforms if it hopes to achieve any long-term rapprochement with Washington. “This is not a solution in itself; it’s merely a starting point,” said American foreign policy expert Emily Harris. “The Cuban government will need to show that it is genuinely committed to reform, not just symbolically, but in terms of how it governs and interacts with its own citizens.”
Cuba has been under U.S. sanctions for more than half a century, with periods of partial engagement and isolation. The island nation’s relationship with the U.S. has swung from closer ties in the 1970s to intense hostility in the following decades, and attempts at reconciliation, most notably under former U.S. President Barack Obama, were stymied when Trump reversed many of those diplomatic overtures.
The decision to remove Cuba from the state sponsor of terrorism list, though largely symbolic, represents a broader shift in U.S. foreign policy. It may signal a recognition that the long-standing embargo and the designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism have not achieved their stated goals of regime change. Instead, they have contributed to the suffering of ordinary Cubans while allowing the government to maintain its stance against external influence.
As Cuba prepares to release its prisoners, the world will be watching to see if this move marks a true beginning of a new chapter in Cuban-American relations—or if it will be another short-lived policy change in a long history of diplomatic tensions.
While Cuban officials express cautious optimism, the looming uncertainty of the incoming administration in the U.S. casts a shadow over any potential breakthroughs. One thing is clear: the coming months will be critical in shaping the future of Cuba’s relationship with its most powerful neighbor.
