Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. officials

Cuba's President Raul Castro addresses the audience during the National Assembly in Havana December 20, 2014. REUTERS/Enrique De La Osa

WASHINGTON/HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba has completed the release of all 53 prisoners it had promised to free, the Obama administration said on Monday, a major step towards détente with Washington.

The release of the remaining detainees overcomes a big hurdle for historic talks next week aimed at normalizing ties after decades of hostility. The list of 53 is part of last month's breakthrough U.S.-Cuba agreement and includes many known to international human rights groups as "prisoners of conscience."