Cuba Frees 53 as Part of US Rapprochement Deal

Sen. Rubio Insists Releases Are 'Minimal Change'

The Obama Administration has confirmed that Cuba is complying with the terms of their largely secret deal on rapprochement, and has released all 53 “prisoners of conscience” the US wanted released.

The 53 included members of several opposition groups, including the Ladies in White. Jose Daniel Ferrer, the head of one such opposition group, thanked the US for securing the releases, but said there were other political prisoners still being held.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R – FL), an outspoken opponent of rapprochement with Cuba, termed the releases a “minimal change,” and said Cuba was getting everything it wanted from the US in return.

The deal included the US and Cuba trading prisoners, and will reportedly lead to an end to over half a century of embargo on the Caribbean island nation, though officials say that the long-standing travel ban may only be partially lifted.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.