Cuba released American Alan Gross, who was imprisoned for five years, in a move that signaled a shift in relations between the U.S. and Cuba.
Gross departed Cuba on a U.S. government plane bound for the United States on Wednesday morning, then spoke to the press on Wednesday afternoon, thanking all who worked to free him -- and called this year's Hanukkah the best of his life.
Alan Gross, freed after five years in Cuban prison, says "today's the best Hanukkah" of his life. pic.twitter.com/43GUMpP8TB— Mashable News (@MashableNews) December 17, 2014
As the government plane he was traveling on entered U.S. airspace, Gross raised his hands triumphantly, according to Arizona Senator Jeff Flake who was traveling with him.
Here's Alan Gross on our flight from Cuba as the pilot announced we had entered U.S. Airspace. pic.twitter.com/AVvb7FEMN9— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) December 17, 2014
Who is Alan Gross?
The Cuban government accused Alan Gross of being a spy, and sentenced him to 15 years in prison in 2011. He was detained in December 2009 while setting up Internet access as a subcontractor for the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Cuba regards USAID programs as illegal attempts by the U.S. to undermine the Cuban government.
Earlier this month, Gross' wife, Judy, released a statement saying her Gross has lost more than 100 pounds, five teeth and much of the sight in his right eye. Judy Gross also said her husband can barely walk due to chronic pain.
White House press secretary Josh Earnest said on Dec. 3 that the U.S. was "deeply concerned" about Gross' health.
What does this exchange mean?
While the exact conditions of Gross' release remain unclear, it came as part of a larger policy shift between the U.S. and Cuba.
Gross was not the only person the Cuban government released.
Cuba also freed a U.S. intelligence source who had been jailed in Cuba for more than 20 years in a separate deal. The source remains anonymous for security reasons. In exchange, the U.S. reportedly released three Cuban intelligence agents who were convicted of espionage in 2001.