Cuban dissident José Daniel Ferrer, leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), has reportedly sustained a facial injury following a severe beating at Mar Verde prison in Santiago de Cuba. This information has been shared by those close to him.
Ferrer is said to be extremely thin, with a noticeable injury to his face, according to a report from someone who had limited access to the Boniato prison hospital where Ferrer is currently being treated after the assault. This update was publicized by Ferrer's sister, Anabelkis Ferrer, who urged people to share his plight using the hashtags #SOSFerrer and #FreeFerrer.
Restricted Hospital Access Raises Concerns
The Cuban regime allowed Ferrer’s wife, Nelva Ortega, to visit him at the hospital, albeit "from a distance." Ortega reported that hospital access was heavily restricted, with only a few individuals able to verify Ferrer's condition.
On Friday, Ortega and her children demonstrated outside Mar Verde prison, demanding undeniable proof of life for Ferrer. She argued that the distant visit permitted the previous day did not confirm whether the person they saw was indeed Ferrer, leaving them uncertain about his health status.
Family Denounces Inhumane Treatment
Ortega described the treatment of Ferrer as inhumane and voiced her worries about the incarceration conditions and physical abuse Ferrer has endured. He has been detained for over three years on charges of contempt and other accusations deemed arbitrary by international human rights organizations.
José Daniel Ferrer was arrested in July 2021, following the anti-government protests on July 11. Since then, his family and supporters have reported torture, prolonged isolation, and inhumane imprisonment conditions. Ferrer stands as a prominent figure in the Cuban dissidence, representing the broader repression faced by those who challenge the regime.