Cuba's mass prisoner release

The pardon is seen by some as an attempt to alleviate pressure on the country's strained prison system during a period of intense economic distress.

While the government has not provided specific details on the crimes committed by those being released, the scale of the pardon is significant.

Meanwhile, ordinary Cubans are finding creative ways to maintain their social traditions, such as weekly dance nights, despite the lack of electricity.

The ongoing fuel blockade by the U.S. remains a primary driver of the current hardships facing the population.