On his first day in office, President Donald Trump restored Cubarecognizing a state sponsor of terrorism, reversing an executive order issued by former President Joe Biden last week.
Biden announced plans to raise the designation as part of an agreement on the release of political prisoners in Cuba, mediated by the Vatican.
Following the announcement, Cuban authorities began releasing detainees, including some arrested during the 2021 protests, due to economic hardship and government policies.
Among those freed was 24-year-old Reina Jacnar Barretto Batista, who was serving a four-year sentence for public disorder.
Barreta Batista told the AP that she and eight others had been released from a prison in Camaguey, although officials had warned them that their release was conditional on good behavior.
The Cuban government said it plans to gradually release 553 prisoners, seeing the move as part of the Vatican's 2025 jubilee celebrations, not directly linked to the US action.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno RodrÃguez criticized the reinstatement of the terrorism designation, calling it an “instrument of political coercion” rather than a genuine attempt to fight terrorism.
Mr. Trump's cancellation is consistent with and supported by his administration's tough stance on Cuba Secretary of State Marco Rubiowho has long advocated sanctions against the island nation.