Cuba on Wednesday began releasing prisoners under a deal with departing US President Joe Biden to remove the communist island from a list of terror sponsors, the detainees' relatives told AFP.

The Biden administration announced on Tuesday it will remove Cuba from the state sponsor of terrorism list – a move taken in the twilight of the administration that is likely to reversed by the incoming team.

Biden’s move just before he leaves office highlights his extremely cautious—and, in effect, hardline—approach to U.S.-Cuba policy.