Cuba will release 553 prisoners after several talks with the Holy See. This was announced by its president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, who assured that good relations with the Vatican facilitate this type of decision.
The Cuban leader wrote a letter to the Pope at the beginning of January on the occasion of the Jubilee. In it, he informed the pontiff of the release of half a hundred prisoners.
In the official communication, there are no further details as to whether there are political prisoners among the beneficiaries. It is only explained that they are people punished for various crimes.
Nor does it mention whether this decision is linked to Joe Biden's announcement. The United States will remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, which includes countries such as North Korea, Iran and Syria.
In fact, Pope Francis already mediated in 2014 between Cuba and the United States, when negotiations began for the two countries to return to diplomatic ties. The pope's crucial role was recognized internationally.
BARACK OBAMA
44th U.S. President (2009-2017)
And this year Congress should begin the work of ending the embargo. As His Holiness, Pope Francis has said: “Diplomacy is the work of small steps.” These small steps have added up to new hope for the future in Cuba.
As for the ties between Cuba and the Holy See, they have maintained relations since 1935. The last three popes have traveled to the country: John Paul II in 1998, Benedict XVI in 2012 and Pope Francis in 2015.
