BBC News
Cuban dissident Guillermo Farinas has ended his hunger strike after the government announced it was freeing 52 political prisoners.
Mr Farinas, who has been refusing food for more than 130 days, was reported to have been near death in recent days.
The death of another hunger striker in February put pressure on Cuba.
Mr Farinas began his fast after Orlando Zapata Tamayo's death following an 85-day hunger strike.
After ending his protest, Mr Farinas issued a statement via his supporters from a hospital in the city of Santa.
"This confrontation...has no winners or losers, only Cuba, our nation, has won," he said.
'Overdue'
Following Wednesday's announcement of the prisoner releases, Spain's foreign minister called on the EU to soften its Common Position on Cuba.
The 1996 policy calls for advances in human rights and democracy before relations with Cuba can be normalised.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she was encouraged by the Cuban move, which she described as "something that is overdue, but nevertheless very welcome".
The BBC's Michael Voss, in Havana, says this is the largest prisoner release for years in Cuba and may be a turning point in ties with the US and EU.
Cuba has always denied that it has political prisoners, calling them mercenaries paid by the US to undermine Havana's rule, according to our correspondent.
He says President Raul Castro has been stung by the strength of international criticism following the death of Mr Tamayo in February.
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