KINGSTON, Jamaica –The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade today advised that nine of the 11 Jamaicans incarcerated in Cuba, have been pardoned by the Cuban Government and will return to Jamaica in the coming days.

“In an announcement on September 11, the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba advised that, on the occasion of the upcoming visit to Cuba of Pope Francis, some 3,522 prisoners would be granted pardons,” the ministry said in a press release.

According to the release, the decision was taken by the Council of State on the basis of criteria determined by the responsible ministries of the Cuban Government.

The nine Jamaicans who have been pardoned include eight men and one woman who were held for various offences, including possession of drugs and trafficking.

Minimum sentences handed down for such crimes start at 10 years and can exceed 25 years, the release continued.

“The ministry recognises with appreciation this gesture of goodwill by the Cuban Government,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade said.