On January 15, 2025, Cuba announced the release of 553 prisoners as a response to the United States' decision to remove Havana from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. This announcement came from the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Cuban government described the U.S. decision as a "correct but limited" step, emphasizing that while the removal from the terrorism list is a positive development, it does not alleviate the ongoing economic blockade imposed by the United States. The Ministry highlighted that many coercive measures remain in place.
The release of prisoners is part of a broader initiative, as indicated by President Miguel Díaz-Canel's letter to Pope Francis earlier in January, where he communicated intentions to benefit those sanctioned for various offenses.