Cuba to pardon over 2,000 prisoners in Easter amnesty

The government of Cuba has approved a mass pardon covering 2,010 prisoners, including women, individuals over the age of 60, and foreign nationals, according to an official statement by the Communist Party of Cuba published on X.

Authorities said the decision followed a review of multiple factors, including the nature of the offences, inmates’ behaviour while in custody, their health conditions, and the length of time already served. The pardon does not apply to those convicted of particularly serious crimes.

Those eligible for release also include young people, individuals whose eligibility for early release expired within the past six months or is set to expire in the coming year, as well as Cuban citizens residing abroad.

The measure has been timed to coincide with Easter and is described as reflecting the humanitarian principles of the country’s criminal justice system.

It marks the second such pardon in 2026 and the fifth since 2011. Over that period, more than 11,000 individuals have been released under similar initiatives.

Previously, on March 13, Cuba announced the pardon of 51 prisoners as part of agreements with the Vatican.

By Tamilla Hasanova