Cuba pardons 2,010 prisoners in 'humanitarian' Easter gesture

Cuba's government announced Thursday that it was pardoning 2,010 prisoners as a "humanitarian" gesture to mark Easter after previously pledging to release dozens amid heightened US pressure on Havana.

The individuals being released include young people, women and prisoners over 60 years old who are scheduled for early release within the next six months to a year, according to a government statement read on state television.

Foreigners and Cuban citizens residing abroad are among them, but no identities have been released.

"This humanitarian and sovereign gesture was based on a careful analysis of the nature of the crimes committed by the convicts, their good conduct in prison, the fact they had served a significant portion of their sentences, and their state of health," the statement said.

The announcement comes weeks after the communist government said it would free 51 prisoners as a sign of "good will" toward the Vatican.

The Holy See has often tried to act as a mediator between Washington and Havana.

The announcement comes as Cuban and US officials have held talks even as President Donald Trump's administration has pushed for change in Havana.

Trump has mused about "taking" Cuba and imposed a de facto oil blockade on the island in January, though he allowed a Russian oil tanker to deliver crude to Cuba this week in what the White House described as a "humanitarian" gesture.