International Sanctions and Diplomacy

Facing mounting U.S. pressure, Cuba announced the release of 2,010 prisoners, calling it a "humanitarian and sovereign gesture" timed to Holy Week and linked to ongoing negotiations with the Trump administration and Vatican‑related diplomacy. The decision comes amid a deepening energy and economic crisis — which observers attribute to a U.S. campaign to curb foreign oil deliveries that has produced island‑wide blackouts — while Havana gave few details on when releases will occur or whether political detainees are included.