The Cuban opposition figure José Daniel Ferrer made a passionate call for unity among all Cubans, both on the island and in the diaspora, to confront the regime and fight for freedom, democracy, and human rights in the nation.
Through a message shared on social media, Ferrer expressed his determination to continue the fight against tyranny following his return to the public eye after three and a half years of unjust and cruel imprisonment.
“It is time for Cubans both on the island and in the diaspora to unite on a single front and make it clear to the world our steadfast intention to conquer our freedom and to make Cuba a just and prosperous nation allied with the West,” Ferrer wrote on his X account (formerly Twitter).
The leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) also reported the critical situation that Santiago de Cuba, his hometown, is facing, affected by constant blackouts, just like the rest of the country. "That will end when Cubans say 'ENOUGH!' in unison," he stated on .
A call for unity at a crucial moment
The Cuban opposition has reiterated on numerous occasions the need for a united front to confront the totalitarian regime that rules the island through violence.
Figures and organizations such as the Mesa de Unidad Cubana (MUC), the Damas de Blanco, UNPACU, and the San Isidro Movement (MSI) have advocated for joint strategies to increase internal and external pressure on the Havana regime.
In the context of an unprecedented economic, social, and political crisis, Ferrer urged civil society to coordinate efforts to channel popular discontent into concrete actions. In previous statements, various opposition groups and activists such as Anamely Ramos have pointed out that division has been one of the main obstacles to achieving significant changes on the island.
Background of unity and resistance
Ferrer’s call resonates with previous initiatives that have aimed to unite the efforts of the Cuban opposition.
In 2020, the Democratic Action Unit Table (MUAD) expressed its support for the hunger strikers of the MSI who were demanding better living conditions and respect for human rights.
Also, in 2021, UNPACU activists responded to acts of repudiation by the regime against the leader of the MSI, Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, with demonstrations of support from different parts of the world. Solidarity has been mutual, as demonstrated by the hunger strike initiated in March 2021 by Otero Alcántara, in support of the hunger strike by UNPACU activists.
At the same time, the MSI has demonstrated the importance of peaceful resistance and the use of social media to “connect” and highlight the situation of political prisoners and repression on the island. Appeals for international solidarity have been a constant in these movements, with Cuban exiles in cities like Miami frequently showing their support.
The unity has also manifested in initiatives such as the MUC, which in 2021 called on the public for a citizen boycott against the government, promoting civil disobedience and active participation in peaceful protests.
In Miami, activists and Cuban exiles have held vigils and demonstrations in support of opponents within the island, such as in the case of the hunger strike initiated by members of UNPACU in 2021.
Furthermore, in 2019, various Cuban opposition figures confirmed in Miami an agreement for democratic transition, demonstrating a willingness to unite forces beyond ideological differences. In 2018, UNPACU launched an awareness campaign to encourage citizen participation in peaceful protests and to denounce human rights violations.
Another significant example of unity occurred in 2021, when the MSI and the Ladies in White came together in solidarity with political prisoners and their families, organizing simultaneous events inside and outside of Cuba to highlight the repression.
Ferrer’s call has sparked the interest of international human rights organizations, which see this initiative as an opportunity to intensify pressure on the Cuban totalitarian regime.
The international community is closely watching the evolution of these movements and their ability to articulate effective actions in the political arena. Ultimately, unity among the various sectors of the Cuban opposition remains a challenge, but also a tangible hope for achieving structural change on the island.
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