The Catholic Church in Cuba has said the government is set to release 52 political prisoners and allow them to leave the country.<br /><br />Word came following a meeting between Raul Castro, the Cuban president, and Cardinal Jaime Ortega, the Catholic archbishop, and other Spanish officials on Tuesday, but there has been no confirmation from the government.<br /><br />Miguel Angel Moratinos, the Spanish foreign minister who has been visiting Cuba, said the decision "opens a new era" in the communist country.<br /><br />If confirmed, the move will be the largest release of political prisoners since 1998, when 101 dissidents were freed following a visit by Pope John Paul II.<br /><br />Al Jazeera's Teresa Bo reports. (08 July, 2010)
