The Cuban opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer visited former political prisoner Miguel Sigler Amaya this Sunday, who is currently hospitalized at the JFK Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, awaiting a high-risk vascular surgery.
Ferrer, accompanied by his brother Luis Enrique Ferrer, arrived at the hospital to express his support for Sigler Amaya, a member of a well-known family of opponents to the Cuban regime. During the emotional reunion, broadcast live on social media, Miguel confessed to feeling "like an anvil" upon seeing them enter his room. "They are transmitting energy to me," he said, visibly moved.
Luis Enrique recalled the struggle of the brothers Miguel, Guido, Ariel, and Juan Francisco Sigler Amaya, all of whom were persecuted by the dictatorship. He also mentioned the mother of the dissidents, Gloria Amaya, an activist with the Ladies in White, who fought until her last days for the freedom of her sons.
"This brother needs solidarity. With the illness he has, he has been carrying medical problems since prison," expressed Luis Enrique Ferrer, while calling on the Cuban exile community to support the patriot in this critical stage.
According to Miguel, he will undergo a complex open-heart surgery that includes the replacement of several main arteries and a faulty valve. "Nobody knows how this operation will end. But if it were to be the last thing, my word is that I will stand with the freedom of Cuba, no matter the consequences," he assured.
José Daniel Ferrer, who on Monday completes a week in the United States after his forced exile, took the opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to the fight for a free Cuba. "We came here directly from Miami, without resting. This brother is part of our great 21st-century mambisa family," he stated.
Since his arrival in the U.S., Ferrer has maintained an active agenda of denouncements, interviews with the press, and meetings with the diaspora. As he stated to CiberCuba a few days ago, his strategy focuses on a non-violent, clandestine, and creative struggle, capable of evading repression and provoking the collapse of the dictatorship.
"With the union of so many details produced en masse throughout Cuba, a mood and public sentiment is created that topples the dictatorship," Ferrer said in an interview with this outlet.
The case of the Sigler Amaya family is one of the most symbolic of Cuban exile and dissent. Miguel, Guido, and Ariel were imprisoned during the Black Spring of 2003. Ariel, a well-known athlete, emerged from prison barely able to walk. Guido was released in 2011 after years of torture and illness while incarcerated. Miguel's health has also deteriorated due to that same repressive experience.
"This is the result of the murderous dictatorship of the Castro brothers," denounced Luis Enrique, while showing the current medical conditions of Miguel Sigler.
From the hospital, the need for supportive assistance during the post-operative phase was reiterated. Miguel shared contact numbers for anyone who wishes to send him a message or offer direct help.
José Daniel Ferrer concluded the meeting with a call to prayer: “Miguel will be in my prayers and those of many Cubans. We ask everyone to join in this cause, for where there is solidarity, there is hope.”
Frequently asked questions about the reunion of José Daniel Ferrer and the situation of Cuban opponents
Who is José Daniel Ferrer and why is he relevant in the fight against the Cuban regime?
José Daniel Ferrer is a prominent Cuban opposition leader and founder of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU). His significance lies in his tireless fight for freedom and human rights in Cuba, facing numerous arrests and torture by the Cuban regime. Ferrer was exiled to the United States after years of repression, symbolizing the resistance against the prevailing dictatorship on the island.
What is the health status of Miguel Sigler Amaya and what is his relationship with José Daniel Ferrer?
Miguel Sigler Amaya, a former Cuban political prisoner, is currently admitted to JFK Medical Center in Florida, awaiting a high-risk vascular surgery. José Daniel Ferrer visited Sigler Amaya to express his support and solidarity, highlighting the struggle of the Sigler Amaya family against the Cuban regime.
What has José Daniel Ferrer's arrival in the United States been like, and what actions does he plan from exile?
The arrival of José Daniel Ferrer in the United States has been warmly welcomed by the exile community and political figures. Ferrer plans to continue his fight for Cuba's freedom from exile, focusing his efforts on a strategy of non-violent and creative opposition. Additionally, he has been awarded the Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom in recognition of his history of resistance.
What has José Daniel Ferrer declared about his exile and his commitment to the Cuban cause?
José Daniel Ferrer has expressed "mixed feelings" following his arrival in the United States, highlighting his joy at being free with his family, but also his sadness for the opponents who remain in Cuba. He has reaffirmed his commitment to the Cuban democratic cause and called for the unity of Cubans both on and off the island to bring an end to the dictatorship as soon as possible.
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