Cuba has begun releasing prisoners after saying it would free more than 2,000 people as a “humanitarian and sovereign gesture” while facing continued pressure from the United States. More than 20 inmates emerged from La Lima prison in eastern Havana, crying and hugging relatives. Those freed will include foreign nationals, young people, women and those aged over 60, a statement from the Cuban embassy in the US said. It is the largest such amnesty in 10 years. The US said it was closely monitoring whether those it deems to be political prisoners would be among the liberated. The US spokesperson said it is unclear how many, if any, political ​prisoners will be released.