Cuba, bajo fuerte presión de EE UU, anuncia indulto de 2.010 prisioneros

(LPL/AFP) – El gobierno de Cuba anunció la liberación anticipada de 2.010 prisioneros como un “gesto humanitario” en el marco de la Semana Santa, la segunda excarcelación de presos anunciada en menos de un mes, en medio de una creciente presión de Washington.
El indulto “aprobado por el gobierno” es un “gesto humanitario y soberano”, que ocurre “en el contexto de las celebraciones religiosas de la Semana Santa”, señaló una nota oficial leída en la televisión cubana.
El anuncio se produce poco después de que la administración de Donald Trump aliviara el bloqueo petrolero de facto que aplica a la isla desde hace casi tres meses y permitiera que un petrolero ruso entregara crudo al país, sumido en una profunda crisis energética.

Trump no oculta su deseo de un cambio de régimen en Cuba, ubicada a solo 150 km de Estados Unidos. Según Washington, la isla representa una “amenaza excepcional” por sus estrechas relaciones con Rusia, China e Irán.

En los últimos meses, el magnate republicano ha multiplicado sus amenazas contra La Habana, e incluso ha hablado de “tomar” la isla, gobernada por el Partido Comunista (PCC, único).
Al anunciar el indulto, las autoridades no ofrecieron una lista de los presos que se beneficiarán ni de las causas de su detención, sin embargo aseguraron que se trata de reos que han cumplido “una parte importante de su sanción” y que “han mantenido buena conducta”, según la nota oficial.

Asimismo, el gobierno tomó en cuenta el “estado de salud” de los presos que serán indultados, entre los que hay “jóvenes, mujeres, adultos mayores de 60 años”, así como “extranjeros y ciudadanos cubanos residentes en el exterior”, añadió el texto.

Subrayó que “se descartaron a aquellas personas que cometieron delitos de agresión sexual, pederastia con violencia, asesinato, homicidio, drogas, hurto y (…) robo con violencia o fuerza con la utilización de armas o menores víctimas, corrupción de menores, delitos contra la autoridad, reincidentes y multirreincidentes”.

English:

Cuba, Under Strong US Pressure, Announces Pardon of 2,010 Prisoners

(LPL/AFP) – The Cuban government announced the early release of 2,010 prisoners as a “humanitarian gesture” coinciding with Holy Week—the second release of inmates announced in less than a month—amid mounting pressure from Washington.
The pardon, “approved by the government,” is a “humanitarian and sovereign gesture” taking place “in the context of the religious celebrations of Holy Week,” stated an official communiqué read on Cuban television.
The announcement comes shortly after the Donald Trump administration eased the de facto oil embargo it has imposed on the island for nearly three months, allowing a Russian oil tanker to deliver crude oil to the country, which is currently mired in a deep energy crisis.

Trump makes no secret of his desire for regime change in Cuba, located just 150 kilometers from the United States. According to Washington, the island poses an “exceptional threat” due to its close ties with Russia, China, and Iran.

In recent months, the Republican magnate has escalated his threats against Havana, even speaking of “taking” the island, which is governed by the Communist Party (PCC)—the country’s sole political party.
In announcing the pardon, authorities did not provide a list of the prisoners who would benefit, nor did they specify the charges for which they were detained; however, they affirmed that the beneficiaries are inmates who have served “a significant portion of their sentence” and have “maintained good conduct,” according to the official statement.

Furthermore, the government took into account the “health status” of the prisoners being pardoned—a group that includes “young people, women, and adults over the age of 60,” as well as “foreign nationals and Cuban citizens residing abroad,” the text added. He emphasized that “those individuals who committed crimes involving sexual assault, violent pedophilia, murder, homicide, drug offenses, theft, and (…) robbery involving violence or force—including cases involving the use of weapons or minor victims—as well as corruption of minors, crimes against authority, and repeat or habitual offenders, were ruled out.”