Cuba releases dozens of opposition activists Published duration 9 January 2015

image copyright Reuters image caption Activist Angel Figueredo (right) holds his son's hand after being released in Havana

The Cuban authorities have released at least 36 opposition activists since Wednesday, according to dissident organisations.

They are believed to be from a list of 53 activists the United States requested to be freed as part of efforts to mend links.

White House spokesman Eric Schultz said the US was pleased with the move.

Cuba and the US announced last month they had agreed to restore diplomatic relations, severed since 1961.

The American government is confident that the Cuban authorities will keep their word and release more political prisoners, said Mr Schultz.

The 53 names put forward by the US have not been disclosed.

'Force and motivation'

Twenty-nine of the activists released since Wednesday are from the dissident Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU).

"Our freed prisoners are committed to continue fighting for the democratic Cuba which we all want," the group's leader, Jose Daniel Ferrer, said in a statement.

"The UNPACU activists have left prison with more energy, force and motivation than they had when they were jailed."

image copyright Reuters image caption Mr Figueredo's wife, opposition campaigner Haydee Gallardo, was also freed on Thursday

image copyright EPA image caption Cubans are celebrating the 56th anniversary of Fidel Castro's triumphant entry into Havana this week

On Thursday, the US announced that Assistant Secretary of State Roberta Jacobson would lead a delegation travelling to the capital, Havana, later this month.

These will be the first high level talks since Cuba and the US announced that they were restoring relations.

The US Department of State said the talks - to take place on 21 and 22 January - will focus on migration.

But they will also discuss the practicalities of reopening embassies in Washington DC and Havana, said the Department of State.

The rapprochement process was announced by US President Barack Obama and his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro on 17 December.

President Obama's proposal to restore relations still needs to be approved by Congress, where it faces opposition from many Republicans and anti-Castro lawmakers.

The US says it will continue to push Mr Castro's government to respect human rights and the freedom of speech.

Senator Marco Rubio, a leading critic of the president on the Cuba question, and other Cuban-Americans in Congress have argued that Mr Obama's change of policy could provide legitimacy and money for the Cuban government while it continues to violate human rights.

Last week, the Cuban authorities detained several high-profile dissidents who were planning to stage an open microphone protest in Havana's Revolution Square.

The US Department of State issued a statement saying it was "deeply concerned" by the reports. The activists were eventually released.

image copyright Reuters image caption The two presidents announced the policy shift on live television from Havana and Washington DC