The Historic Release of Cuban Prisoners by the U.S.

Jose Prieto Cintado

There was another historic event happening today. Cuban prisoners held in U.S. prisons and a U.S. national imprisoned in Cuban were release. The Cubans had spent more than a decade behind bars. The news spread across the globe very quickly because aside from the release of the prisoners, both countries are underway to reestablishing diplomatic relations and the lifting of the U.S. embargo on Cuba is a distinct possibility. The Cuban Ambassador today, Jose Prieto Cintado, told News Five the significance of the moment.

William Neal

“What’s your initial reaction to the news of a warming of the relations between the US and Cuba especially in the face of the fifty year old embargo?”

Jose Prieto Cintado, Cuban Ambassador to Belize (Translated)

“I think the most important development that is taking place right now is the exchange of prisoners between the United States and Cuba. That according to the experts this was the main hindrance or obstacle that was really blocking our exchange in our relationship between Cuba and the United States. Now three out of the five of the anti-terrorist are in Havana Cuba and they are now there and they are released. And now also in the United States a plane just landed with Alandros which is a prisoner that was condemned in Havana so now he is being released and he is in the United States. So I think this is a major exchange of prisoners that will improve the relationship with the United States and even if justice was delayed that’s an injustice by itself but we are very happy and very hopeful to have our people back in Cuba. They all had sentenced with specific dates except for Hernandez; he was sentenced to two life sentences plus fifteen years of imprisonment. And now there is going to be an intervention on this matter by President of the United States Barrack Obama and also the President of Cuba Raul Castro.”