The Obama administration has confirmed reports that Cuba has released all 53 political prisoners that it promised to free as part of the deal to re-establish diplomatic relations with the United States.
“The Cuban Government has notified us that they have completed the release of the 53 political prisoners that they had committed to free. We welcome this very positive development and are pleased that the Cuban government followed through on this commitment,” National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said in a statement. “Our Interests Section in Havana was able to verify these releases. These political prisoners were individuals who had been cited by various human rights organizations as being imprisoned by the Cuban government for exercising internationally protected freedoms or for their promotion of political and social reforms in Cuba. During our discussions with the Cubans, we shared the names of individuals jailed in Cuba on charges related to their political activities. The Cuban government made the sovereign decision to release those individuals as Raul Castro indicated in his Dec. 17 speech.”
Cuba: How New Relationship Will Affect Americans These American Fugitives May Be Hiding Out in Cuba Cuban Landmarks in Photos, Then and NowHere are their names, according to a list obtained by ABC News.
1. Emilio Planas Robert
2. Alexeis Vargas Martin
3. Diango Vargas Martin
4. Bianko Vargas Martin
5. Ivan Fernandez Depestre
6. Sonia Garro Alfonso
7. Ramon Alejandro Munoz
8. Eugenio Hernandez Hernandez
9. Juliet Michelena Diaz
10. Angel Yunier Remon Arzuaga
11. Vladimir Morera Bacallao
12. Jorge Ramirez Calderon
13. Marcelino Abreu Bonora
14. Wilberto Parada Milan
15. Alcibiades Guerrra Marin
16. Jose Leiva Diaz
17. Eider Frometa Allen
18. Alexander Roberto Fernandez Rico
19. Aracelio Riviaux Noa
20. David Piloto Barcel
21. Enrique Figuerola Miranda
22. Jose Manuel Rodriguez Navarro
23. Lazaro Romero Hurtado
24. Luis Enrique Labrador Diaz
25. Madaline Lazara Caraballo Betancourt (on probation)
26. Miguel Alberto Ullao Ginard
27. Reiner Mulet Levis
28. Roberto Hernandez Barrio
29. Alexander Otero Rodriguez
30. Angel Figueredo Castellon
31. Anoy Almeida Perez
32. Carlos Manuel Figueroa Alvarez
33. Cesar Andres Sanchez Perez
34. Daniel Enrique Qezada Chaveco
35. David Bustamante Rodriguez
36. Eliso Castillo Gonzalez
37. Ernesto Robero Rivery Gascon
38. Ernesto Tamayo Guerra
39. Haydee Gallardo Salazar
40. Jorge Cervantes Garcia
41. Jose Lino Ascencio Lopez
42. Juan Carlos Vasquez Osoria
43. Julio Cesar Vega Santiesteban
44. Leonardo Paumier Ramirez
45. Miguel Tamayo Frias
46. Miguel Guerra Hastie
47. Niorvis Rivera Guerra
48. Rolando Reyes Rabanal
49. Ruberlandis Mainet Villalon
50. Sandalio Mejias Zulueta
51. Vladimir Ortiz Suarez
52. Yojarnes Arce Sarmiento
53. Yordenis Mendoza Cobas