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(Bloomberg) — Cuba’s government authorized the release of 2,010 prisoners in a sweeping pardon, state-run newspaper Granma reported Thursday, a move that comes as the island begins to see some relief from a crippling energy blockade.
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The decision applies to inmates who have demonstrated good conduct, served significant portions of their sentences, or face chronic health issues, according to Granma. Those eligible include women, young people, and seniors over 60, as well as foreign nationals and Cuban citizens residing abroad.
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The clemency — the fifth large-scale initiative since 2011 — reduces pressure on a strained prison system while projecting a humanitarian image during a period of intense geopolitical friction.
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The government excluded those convicted of murder, homicide, sexual aggression or drug trafficking from the pardon. Inmates sentenced for livestock theft or slaughter — a major concern for Cuba’s food security — and repeat offenders were also barred from release, Granma reported.
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The move comes at a critical time for President Miguel Díaz-Canel’s administration. The “maximum pressure” campaign from the US had effectively cut off fuel imports for over 90 days, resulting in widespread blackouts and social unrest.
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The pardons coincide with the arrival of a Russian oil tanker in Matanzas, providing the first major fuel shipment in months to an economy pushed to the brink by US sanctions. Earlier Thursday, Russia’s energy minister told the Tass news agency that a second vessel is currently being loaded.
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Diplomatic channels between Cuba and the US remain limited. While Deputy Foreign Minister Josefina Vidal said Sunday that Havana and Washington have held only one formal meeting, she signaled a rare shift in policy, stating the island is now open to American participation in Cuba’s economic development.
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