Cuba Agrees to Free 553 Protesters in U.S.-Brokered Deal

The Biden administration removed Cuba from the U.S. terrorism sponsor list in a Vatican-mediated agreement, but the decision faces likely reversal under incoming President Trump.

Cuba began releasing protesters jailed during the 2021 demonstrations, with 20 prisoners freed so far as part of a deal brokered by the Vatican and the U.S.
The agreement led to Cuba's removal from the U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism list, a designation reinstated during Donald Trump's first term.
The Biden administration's move aims to ease economic hardships in Cuba, but the incoming Trump administration has signaled plans to reverse the policy.
Cuban officials and observers warn that the repeated addition and removal from the terrorism list undermines its credibility as a policy tool.
The deal has sparked cautious optimism among families of detainees, though many await confirmation of their relatives' release.