NEW<\/span>You can now listen to Fox News articles!\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Cuba\u2019s government<\/a> released more than 2,000 prisoners as the island faces mounting economic pressure linked to U.S. sanctions and worsening fuel shortages.<\/p>\n The Cuban Embassy in Washington said authorities granted pardons to 2,010 inmates under provisions of the country\u2019s constitution, citing factors such as good behavior, time already served and health conditions.<\/p>\n “This humanitarian and sovereign gesture was based on a careful analysis of the nature of the offenses committed by the inmates, their good conduct while in prison, [and] the fact that they had served a significant portion of their sentences,” the embassy said in a statement posted on X.<\/p>\n RUSSIA SHIPS FUEL TO CUBA USING ‘SPOOFING’ TACTIC CHALLENGING TRUMP EMBARGO: REPORTS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Inmates celebrate as they walk free from La Lima prison in Havana on April 3, 2026, after Cuba announced it would pardon 2,010 prisoners amid mounting U.S. pressure.<\/span> (Yamil Lage\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Officials said those released include young people, women, older adults, as well as foreign nationals and Cuban citizens who live abroad but were imprisoned on the island.<\/p>\n The government said it excluded prisoners convicted of serious crimes, including murder, sexual assault, violent robbery, drug offenses and corruption of minors<\/a>, as well as repeat offenders.<\/p>\n CUBA’S ENTIRE ELECTRICAL GRID COLLAPSES, LEAVING WHOLE ISLAND WITHOUT POWER<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The move marks the second prisoner release this year and comes during Holy Week, which Cuban officials described as a customary period for such actions.<\/p>\n The release comes as Cuba grapples with a deepening economic and energy crisis driven in part by a renewed pressure campaign from the<\/a> Trump administration aimed at cutting off the island\u2019s access to foreign oil. The restrictions have contributed to widespread fuel shortages, blackouts and growing unrest across the country.<\/p>\n WATCH: Cuban power blackout sparks protests as Trump hints at US intervention<\/strong><\/p>\n President Donald Trump<\/a> has threatened tariffs on any country that sends oil to Cuba and has pressured nations such as Mexico to halt shipments as part of a broader effort to squeeze the island\u2019s energy supply.<\/p>\n
![\"Recently](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1200\/675\/cuba-prisoners-released-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1\")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n