HAVANA, March 12 (Reuters) – Cuba will release 51 prisoners in the coming days under an agreement with the Vatican, Cuba’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
The prisoner release comes two weeks after Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez met with Pope Leo in the Vatican and at a time when Cuba has come under increased pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump.
“In the spirit of goodwill and the close and fluid relations between the Cuban state and the Vatican, with which communication has historically been maintained regarding the review and release of prisoners, the Cuban government has decided to release 51 people sentenced to imprisonment in the coming days,” the ministry said.
“All have served a significant portion of their sentences and have maintained good conduct in prison,” it said.
(Reporting by Daniel Trotta in Havana; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
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