On Tuesday, prominent Cuban opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer took to social media to expose threats made against him by the oppressive agents of the regime. According to Ferrer, these agents have been threatening his life, with intentions to kill, disappear, or imprison him once more. "Every day, I receive information that their repressive agents are telling our supporters that they plan to kill me, make me disappear, or imprison me again," Ferrer wrote in a Facebook post directed at Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel.
Ferrer invoked a line from the Cuban National Anthem to reinforce his resolve against the regime, stating, "To die for the homeland is to live." He emphasized his unwavering commitment by declaring that he does not fear death, as he considers his life eternal since dedicating it to his suffering homeland.
On Wednesday, Ferrer further reported on the social media platform X that the regime's repression extends beyond him to include activists, neighbors, and vulnerable individuals who have any connection to him or provide him with services. "The political police employ the national police to summon, threaten, intimidate, detain, and steal from activists, neighbors, vulnerable cases, private workers, taxi drivers, and motorcyclists associated with me," Ferrer stated.
As an example, he mentioned that on Tuesday afternoon, regime agents confiscated an electric pot that was being repaired by a technician. Ferrer also noted that these detentions occur daily, with over 300 people threatened in the last ten days due to their association with him.
The persecution intensified in Altamira, Santiago de Cuba, where political and national police stationed themselves outside Ferrer's home to intercept anyone entering or leaving the residence. "Political and national police agents are waiting to detain, threaten, and interrogate anyone leaving our home. Over twenty people have been harassed today," Ferrer reported on Facebook.
In an attempt to discredit him, authorities have turned to slander, labeling him as a "terrorist" and, more recently, a "sexual predator." Ferrer sarcastically remarked, "Soon they'll claim I burned the Indian Hatuey," highlighting the absurdity of these accusations.
In January, after being released in what he termed a disgraceful negotiation, Ferrer issued a strong message to Díaz-Canel: "It is time to stop harming Cuba, to end state terrorism against the people, to stop the suffering of millions of Cubans who face all kinds of deprivations and wish to emigrate to other lands, to cease the persecution and imprisonment in concentration camps, Nazi-style, of all dissenters."
Ferrer’s allegations underscore the increasing repression in Cuba against dissenting voices, a common tactic of the regime to silence the opposition. The leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) has been repeatedly targeted for his activism, enduring imprisonment and aggression.
Understanding the Repression in Cuba
What threats has José Daniel Ferrer received from the Cuban regime?
José Daniel Ferrer has reported receiving threats from the regime's agents who plan to kill, disappear, or imprison him again as part of their oppressive tactics.
How does the repression affect those associated with Ferrer?
The regime extends its repression to activists, neighbors, and others connected to Ferrer, using intimidation, detention, and theft as common tactics.
What is Ferrer's message to Díaz-Canel?
Ferrer urges Díaz-Canel to cease the harm to Cuba, end state terrorism, and stop persecuting and imprisoning dissenters in concentration camps.