By Juan O. Tamayo, El Nuevo Herald

MIAMI — Cuba has suddenly unblocked access to several websites censored for years because of their criticism. But it was not immediately clear if the change was temporary or permanent.

The opening, which might signal a step forward in freedom of information in the Communist-ruled island nation, was first noticed Thursday afternoon, but the government had made no announcement as of Friday.

Among the websites unblocked were Radio/TV Marti, the Miami-based Cubanet, which publishes the work of independent and dissident journalists, and Cubaencuentro, based in Spain and also critical of the government.

Also unblocked were Twitter, Skype, and Revolico, a portal for Cuban classified ads blocked for several years apparently because it competes with the country’s state-run shops, according to island residents and Miami contacts.

AFP Photo/Jewel Samad

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