STORY: Ex-prisoners walk free, hours after the communist-led Cuban government announced a sweeping amnesty on Friday.
It has coincided with the most intense pressure campaign applied by Washington in decades.
The U.S. said it was closely monitoring whether those it deems to be political prisoners would be among those freed.
That has long been a major sticking point in negotiations between Washington and Havana.
Reuters spoke with several who had been pardoned of common crimes ranging from theft to bribery, but none had been involved in anti-government protests.
"I'm thankful for this gesture," says Harold Baez, " it gives me the chance to rebuild my life and rejoin society."
More than 2,000 prisoners are set to be released as part of what Cuba's state-run media has called a "sovereign and humanitarian" gesture, the largest such amnesty in 10 years.
The release of all, or the majority, of political prisoners would be seen as a major concession on Cuba's part in ongoing talks between the two countries.
Human rights groups, some financed by the U.S. government, say Cuba is holding hundreds of political prisoners, with estimates varying, and promised scrutiny of the prisoner release process.
:: Moron, Cuba / Released March 14, 2026
Cuba has repeatedly denied it holds political prisoners.
Authorities say those jailed during anti-government protests are found guilty of crimes including public disorder, resisting arrest, robbery and vandalism.
