Uruguay is asking the US to free Cuban prisoners in return for taking detainees from the controversial Guantanamo detention centre.
It says it is accepting some inmates from the American military base at Washington’s request.
President Jose Mujica confirmed he had made the Cuban prisoner release request during a weekly radio address.
The comment is most likely a reference to three Cuban intelligence agents held on US soil.
The three, plus two others who have since been released, were convicted in 2001 of spying. They are considered heroes in Cuba.
America, which wants to shut down Guantanamo, says it is not aware of any such release request from Uruguay.
