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Cuban dissidents freed as part of a historic thawing of relations with the United States are praising the changes as well as pledging to keep pushing for change inside their country.

Rapper Angel Yunier Remon Arzuaga, known as "The Critic," said Tuesday to the Associated Press that the U.S.-Cuban detente gave him "the strength to keep demanding our rights and freedoms."

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Miguel Alberto Ulloa, 25, arrested in 2013 for painting anti-government slogans and released under house arrest, said he is eager to speak out "to show that I'm dissastified."

The U.S. confirmed that 53 prisoners were released as part of upcoming talks between the U.S. and Cuba. In the U.S., the increasing relations between the two countries have divided the Cuban opposition, with some saying it will help their cause and others saying the U.S. didn't win enough concessions.

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--The Associated Press