Cuba began releasing select prisoners on April 3, though all those released so far had been detained for common crimes, not for political reasons, El Debate reported on April 5. The releases began one day after the Cuban government announced amnesty for 2,010 people, the largest number in 10 years.

The Cuban government said individuals in prison for murder, drug-related crimes and "crimes against authority" would not benefit from amnesty. The U.S. government allowed a Russian tanker to reach Cuba on March 30, marking the first crude shipment to the island since Jan. 9. Havana acknowledged negotiations with Washington on March 13. In March, Cuba released 51 prisoners and announced it would allow Cubans living abroad and foreign players to invest in the country's private sector.