Official announcements from Cuban authorities or international news agencies

Cuba Frees 553 Prisoners Including Opposition Leader José Daniel Ferrer in U.S.-Vatican Deal

Jan 16, 2025, 05:25 PM

Cuban authorities have released José Daniel Ferrer, a prominent opposition leader and political prisoner, as part of an agreement facilitated by the Vatican and the Biden administration. Ferrer, who was detained on July 11, 2021, during widespread anti-government protests, was among 553 prisoners set free under the deal. The release comes after the U.S. removed Cuba from its list of countries that sponsor terrorism. Ferrer, a leader of the Union Patriótica de Cuba (UNPACU), had been subjected to physical and psychological torture during his imprisonment. Alongside Ferrer, Luis Robles was also released, though other political prisoners such as Otero Alcántara and Maykel Oborbo remain incarcerated.