The opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer, founder of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), was arrested on Tuesday, April 29, following the revocation of his parole and sent back to Mar Verde prison in Santiago de Cuba to serve an unjust sentence imposed in 2020.
After leaving prison last January as part of a negotiated agreement between the Vatican and the United States government, the regime resumed its aggressive actions, and the news of his return to Mar Verde was reported on X by Ana Belkis Ferrer, the dissident's sister, who published a note sent by Ferrer himself.
"It confirms to us that he was violently taken from the premises yesterday, driven to Mar Verde prison where he was beaten to be forced into the common prisoner uniform," it stated on the mentioned social network.
The modus operandi of the dictatorship has unleashed a wave of outrage both inside and outside the island, as the measure is regarded as a politically motivated retaliation cloaked in legality.
Violent arrest, raided headquarters, and detained relatives
According to Ana Belkis' report, the operation was carried out violently at the UNPACU headquarters, located in the Altamira neighborhood of Santiago de Cuba. In addition to Ferrer, his wife, Nelva Ismaray Ortega Tamayo, his younger son Daniel José, and activists Roilán Zárraga Ferrer and Fernando González Vaillant were also detained.
Accusation: failure to attend hearings
The Vice President of the People's Supreme Court, Maricela Sosa, stated to Reuters that the revocation is due to Ferrer's failure to comply with the conditions of his release, as he did not attend two mandatory court hearings.
The argument has been labeled arbitrary by human rights advocates, who remind us that the constant surveillance and harassment faced by the opposition figure complicated any move.
Ferrer had been released in January 2025 after being imprisoned since 2021, when he was arrested during the protests on July 11, despite being under probation at that time. Now, he will have to fully serve the sentence of a prior sanction from 2020.
The target of a discrediting campaign
Days before his arrest, the regime had already intensified its campaign against Ferrer. An article published by Granma, titled “Counter-revolutionary activists demand double blockade against Cuba,” labeled him as a “mercenary” and accused him, along with Rosa María Payá, of promoting international sanctions against the regime.
A humanitarian effort that disturbs those in power
Despite the repression, Ferrer intensified his humanitarian efforts after his release, turning the UNPACU headquarters into a center for assisting people in extreme poverty, where many came to receive food, medicine, or basic support.
“At any moment, I could go to prison,” Ferrer warned in an interview with CiberCuba, aware that his freedom was temporary and precarious. In that conversation, he recalled his years in isolation cells, the violence in prison, and his constant resistance to the regime from behind bars.
The social prestige gained from this charitable work would have been, according to activists, one of thekey reasons for silencing him again.
The return to prison of José Daniel Ferrer is not only a condemnation of political activism, but also of the humanitarian work that the dictatorship refuses to tolerate. The silence it seeks to impose affects not just one man, but a community that finds in solidarity what the State denies them.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Detention of José Daniel Ferrer and Repression in Cuba
Why was José Daniel Ferrer sent back to Mar Verde prison?
José Daniel Ferrer was sent back to Mar Verde prison after the revocation of his parole for failing to attend two mandatory court hearings, according to the vice president of the People's Supreme Tribunal, Maricela Sosa. However, human rights advocates believe that this measure is a political retribution against the opposition leader.
What has been the international reaction to the arrest of José Daniel Ferrer?
The international community has expressed its condemnation of the detention of José Daniel Ferrer, viewing it as a political reprisal. Human rights organizations have demanded explanations and warned about the increasing repression in Cuba. They have also called for the release of Ferrer and all political prisoners on the island.
What role does UNPACU play in José Daniel Ferrer's activism?
The Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), founded by José Daniel Ferrer, is an organization that advocates for democracy and human rights in Cuba. UNPACU has been one of the main opposition movements in the country, focusing on direct denunciation, peaceful civil disobedience, and community aid. Ferrer's humanitarian efforts, which include the distribution of food and medicine, have been a cornerstone of his activism and one of the reasons why the Cuban regime seeks to silence him.
How has the family of José Daniel Ferrer been treated following his detention?
José Daniel Ferrer's family has been subjected to harassment and arbitrary detentions. During the police operation at UNPACU's headquarters, his wife, Nelva Ismaray Ortega Tamayo, his younger son Daniel José, and other activists were detained. These actions are part of a strategy by the Cuban regime to silence and repress political opponents and their families.
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