The government of Cuban President Raul Castro released 26 political dissidents on Thursday, The New York Times reports, citing Cuban human rights sources and journalists. At least some of the freed Cuban are part of the 53 prisoners that Cuba agreed to release as part of the deal with the Obama administration to thaw relations with the Communist island nation.
Neither Cuba nor the U.S. has released the names of the 53 prisoners. "We made a judgment that the best way to secure the release of these individuals is to not name them publicly," since that would "put a target on their backs," explained State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki, but the 26 people released on Thursday are "not the first release of individuals on the list." Some of the known dissidents released this week have been in prison since 2012.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
5 brain-busting cartoons about RFK Jr.Cartoons Artists take on candidate suitability, the Kennedy family, and more
-
Right to roam: the battle to access England's green spacesThe Explainer A battle is being fought over access to England's green spaces
-
Crossword: May 12, 2024The Week's daily crossword
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproarSpeed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain PrizeSpeed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 winsspeed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughterspeed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopicsSpeed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 GrammysSpeed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
