The Cuban authorities say they are pardoning two political prisoners in response to a request by the Spanish foreign minister, Abel Matutes, who visited the island earlier this month.

The two men, Dessy Mendoza and Jesus Chamber Ramirez, are being freed on condition that they leave Cuba and go to Spain.

They were serving eight and fourteen year sentences respectively for spreading "enemy propaganda".

Cuba has released more than one-hundred-and-fifty political prisoners this year in what correspondents say appears to be an attempt to boost its foreign relations.