Cuba's Mass Prisoner Release: Hope for Political Detainees?

0:00On April 3, Cuba dropped a big amnesty bomb on Thursday, kicking off releases from prison starting Friday. They're letting out more than 2,000 inmates, the largest wave in 10 years, calling it a sovereign humanitarian move right as U.S. pressure, hits peak levels. The U.S. is watching close, hoping some political prisoners make the cut, but so far it's unclear if any will. They've been pushing hard for the release of hundreds they see as unjustly locked up, a key snag and talks between Washington and Havana. Folks streamed out of places like Lelima Prison near Havana, mostly convicted of everyday stuff like theft and bribery. One guy fresh out, able to mild, hugged his family and said this proves the government's opening up to dialogue and unity. Human rights groups are scrutinizing every name, but by midday Friday, none of their so-called prisoners of conscience had thrown up on the lists. Cuba insists no political detainees exist, labeling protest arrests as crimes like disorder or vandalism. Meanwhile, this echoes past moves, like the

1:023,522 pardons before Pope Francis's visit in 2015, or the 51 last month The Vatican Deal. Eyes stay glued as releases roll on across the island. This has been Global News Today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story.