According to Granma, the official newspaper of Cuba's Communist Party, the country's Council of State is also "analyzing the possible early release of prisoners through which a large percentage are freed prior to completing their full sentences."

Among those being pardoned "for humanitarian reasons" are women, youth and those who are sick. The paper noted that some prisoners were excluded from consideration if they had been convicted of crimes with "severe consequences," such as murder, rape and drug trafficking.

In early November, the pope had appealed to all governments to extend "an act of clemency toward those imprisoned who are considered eligible to benefit from this measure."