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Karen Vasquez, a 44-year-old woman, was released from a Cuban jail on Sunday as part of a Vatican-brokered agreement. The deal entailed the Biden administration easing sanctions on Cuba in exchange for the release of over 500 individuals considered political prisoners by the United States.

Upon hearing about the Biden administration's plan to remove Cuba from the terrorism blacklist, Vasquez, who had been celebrating her release, expressed concern over the uncertain political landscape. She had been sentenced to seven years in prison for involvement in nationwide protests in July 2021, events that were internationally viewed as a crackdown on political dissent.

In response to the Trump administration's recent decision, Cuba criticized the move as an act of U.S. imperialism, while remaining ambiguous about any potential retaliatory measures. Despite releasing approximately 150 prisoners as part of the agreed-upon deal, Cuba has yet to comment on the current situation.

The terms of the agreement between Cuba and the United States remain undisclosed, with both countries not formally acknowledging the negotiations. The Cuban government attributed the prisoner release to a unilateral decision following discussions with the Vatican, indicating a commitment to continuing the process despite external pressures.

Although the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights expressed concern over a potential halt in releases post-Trump's decision, individuals like Katia Beirut, who was recently released after three years of imprisonment, aim to transition back to normalcy and reconnect with their families amidst the evolving political landscape.