This Sunday, March 16 marks two months since the release from prison of Cuban opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer and in an interview granted to CiberCuba this Thursday, the nominee for the Sakharov Prize reflected on the release process that the regime negotiated with the Vatican and which was declared concluded this week; he criticized the support of the European Union and Canada for the dictatorship and requested "real support" from the United States. He also responded to his critics: "Those who have slandered me have never faced the enemy like this humble servant has."
In response to questions from this platform, José Daniel Ferrer has outlined the vision he has for the country. He described a prosperous and democratic Cuba where everyone is included, even communists, to whom he clarified that in this new nation they will be able to defend and promote their ideas. However, he warns that those with blood on their hands and who have committed crimes during the dictatorship will have to answer to justice.
He also emphasized that the survival of the Communist Party regime in Cuba is due to financial support from Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela. Therefore, he believes that for the good of the Western Hemisphere, it is not enough to impose sanctions on PCC officials; what is needed is "real support" for the political prisoners who are suffering in prisons, for the independent press, and for those who are tirelessly working towards the democratic project on the Island.
The leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (Unpacu) believes that protests like the one that took place in Río Cauto a week ago will be repeated throughout the country because hunger is taking a toll on the most vulnerable, whom he helps from his home in Altamira, Santiago de Cuba, distributing up to 330 meals a day. While doing this, he has to deal with the pressure from the political police, who threaten those who come seeking a meal and try to persuade beneficiaries of this aid to inform on who sells food to Ferrer, thereby enabling them to confiscate bags of rice that have already been paid for and even pots that are taken to be repaired at nearby workshops.
In the interview with CiberCuba, José Daniel Ferrer took the opportunity to thank the collaboration of anonymous Cubans and others with names and surnames, such as Diazniurka Salcedo, who send medication and money to support the humanitarian work of the Cuban opposition leader in Santiago.
When asked about the reason he believes led to his release, Ferrer attributes it to the fact that the Sakharov Prize was awarded, in his opinion, to Venezuelan leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González, and out of fear that by 2025 the leader of Unpacu could receive recognition that had previously been granted to Oswaldo Payá, the Ladies in White, and Guillermo Fariñas, which may have influenced their decision to set him free. This would partially explain why he was released. Additionally, the attitude of the family played a significant role, as they kept his case constantly in the media spotlight.
As he has mentioned in another interview with CiberCuba, Ferrer is convinced that he could return to prison at any moment, which is why he makes the most of his days and, despite the ongoing blackouts, dedicates 16 hours a day to helping the most disadvantaged. He sends a message to those who have never stepped foot in a cell or undergone political police questioning and criticize his decision to offer forgiveness only if it means the freedom of political prisoners and the liberation of Cuba. He aims to make it clear that his personal suffering will not stand in the way of achieving a democratic transition on the Island, reminiscent of the Spanish transition after the death of dictator Francisco Franco.
In his opinion, those who have not led an opposition organization in Cuba or who have not endured beatings and kicks to the point of losing dental pieces, as he has, do not know what it means to get "into their slippers" and should not attack him nor even call him "traitor" and "dialogue seeker."
The opposition leader is pained by not being able to dedicate more time to his family; by not having been a better father to his children and by not being able to teach his youngest child how to swim. He believes that this is his Achilles' heel, but no one can blame him for not having fought for democracy in Cuba.
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