HAVANA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The Cuban government has granted pardons to 2,604 inmates, a government release said Friday.

The pardon took effect on account of the behavior of the jailed, the expired date of their terms, as well as the nature and influence of the cases for which they were punished.

Other factors included age and chronic diseases, especially among women, the young and the elderly.

Those pardoned have met at least one third of the criteria.

The pardon did not cover those convicted of murder, rape, pederasty with violence, robbery with violence, corruption of minors and drug trafficking.

Economic crimes involving corruption, cattle slaughter and theft of, for instance, fuel were also excluded.

Hit by a grave economic crisis and decades-old U.S. trade embargo, the government is resolved to fight against economic crimes.

According to the official statement, the Cuban Council of State headed by President Miguel Diaz-Canel ordered the pardon, in keeping with the new Constitution of the Republic, which favors the social reintegration of persons deprived of liberty.

As a country which has ratified 44 of the 61 international human rights instruments, Cuba has pardoned thousands of inmates in the past decade. Enditem

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