Cuba has released prominent dissident José Daniel Ferrer from jail, as part of a Cuban government decision to gradually free more than 500 prisoners as part of talks with the Vatican.

Hundreds more Cuban dissidents are expected to be released in the coming days in a deal with President Biden, but even a top beneficiary is balking.

HAVANA - Cuban dissident and human rights activist Jose Daniel Ferrer told Reuters on Thursday he had been released from jail and was at home, part of a broader plan negotiated with the Vatican to gradually free upwards of 500 prisoners.

Cuban authorities freed opposition leader Jose Daniel Ferrer, among other prisoners, as part of a deal with outgoing US President Biden. Many of those released were political prisoners.

Ferrer, the leader of the dissident organization Patriotic Union of Cuba, had previously been in prison because of his political opposition to the communist government.