Cuba pardons 2,000 prisoners

In a sweeping decree, Cuba will release over 2,000 inmates, a move the communist government describes as a sovereign and humanitarian act.

While the official statement links the release to religious observances, observers suggest it may be a diplomatic signal amid back-channel negotiations with the United States.

The island is currently grappling with a severe fuel crisis, prompting the U.S. to occasionally allow shipments of Russian oil to prevent a total humanitarian collapse.

It remains unclear if political dissidents are among those being granted freedom.