Cuban authorities have ordered the release of three Panamanian women detained since late February on accusations of spreading subversive propaganda against the Cuban government, Panama’s Foreign Ministry said Friday.
The women — Evelyn Castro, Cinthia del Carmen Camarena and Abigail Sthefany Gudiño — will be allowed to leave Cuban territory, the ministry said in a statement. Cuban officials described the move as a gesture of humanity and friendship toward Panama, citing the women’s cooperation in the legal process as effective collaborators.
The decision comes nearly two months after Cuban authorities arrested 10 Panamanian citizens in Havana on February 28. The group faced charges of producing signs with content contrary to Cuba’s constitutional order, an offense punishable by three to eight years in prison under Cuban law.
Cuba’s Interior Ministry said at the time that the Panamanians admitted to entering the country with instructions to create the signs. They acknowledged they would receive between $1,000 and $1,500 each upon returning to Panama, according to official Cuban statements.
Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha visited the detainees in late March. He reported they were receiving humane treatment and proper legal assistance. The ministry has continued diplomatic efforts on behalf of the remaining seven Panamanians still held in Cuba. President José Raúl Mulino instructed officials from the start to provide consular support and pursue their release.
The arrests occurred days after Cuban coast guard forces intercepted a separate boat from the United States carrying armed individuals allegedly attempting to infiltrate the island for terrorist purposes. No direct link between the two incidents has been officially confirmed.
Panama’s government thanked Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla and other officials for facilitating the releases. It also recognized the work of Panama’s ambassador in Havana, Edwin Pitty. No specific date for the women’s departure has been announced. Panama said it will keep pressing for a resolution for the other detainees.
