The prominent Cuban opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer García, who was released this Thursday after spending three and a half years in prison, in his first statements after leaving jail sent a message of determination and hope to Cubans, urging them to lose their fear because "the oppressor is increasingly scared."
“To my people, to the Cubans on the island and also to those in exile, who are an integral part of our nation, my message is simple, straightforward, and comes from the heart,” said Ferrer at the beginning of his statements to Martí Noticias.
“Do not be afraid to fight for a free, just, and prosperous Cuba, do not be afraid to work for a better future for all Cubans, so that we do not have to leave in search of freedom and better living conditions in other lands,” he stated.
"Do not be afraid to confront the oppressor, for the oppressor is increasingly frightened, becoming weaker, and the more we look him in the eye, confront him with dignity, decorum, and courage, the shorter his existence will be, the less time he will have in power, the fewer abuses he will be able to commit, and the fewer offenses he will be able to continue perpetrating," he added.
Ferrer said that together "we can make Cuba change, we can put an end to oppression, misery, hunger, widespread poverty, and give Cuba and the Cuban people what we have always deserved: a happy Cuba, a free Cuba, a just Cuba, a prosperous Cuba."
Ferrer apologized for the length of his message but explained that he has spoken little in recent years, as he spent almost three and a half years incommunicado and it was just under two months ago that he was placed in a cell with six common prisoners.
He detailed that two had to be removed, one because he was stealing food, food that he voluntarily shared with everyone, and another because he was making weapons.
Previously, the activist Rosa María Payá had anticipated the circumstances surrounding Ferrer's release from prison.
"I just spoke with José Daniel Ferrer. The oppressors had to release him from prison because he refused to accept conditions for his freedom. Firm and ready to continue the fight until Cuba is free! Heart of a hero! What pride!", wrote Payá on X.
Considered a "prisoner of conscience" by Amnesty International (AI), José Daniel Ferrer was imprisoned on July 12, 2021, in the context of the anti-government protests on July 11.
Leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), Ferrer -who is currently 54 years old- has been a staunch opponent of the Cuban communist regime for many years, which has resulted in multiple imprisonments, persecution, and reprisals for his political activities.
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