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A poster with the message "Freedom for José Daniel Ferrer" recently appeared painted on one of the walls of the López Peña polyclinic in Santiago de Cuba, in an unusual act of defiance against the Cuban regime.
The message was expressed in a rudimentary yet visible manner, in what local activists consider a gesture of solidarity with the opposition leader and founder of the Cuban Patriotic Union (UNPACU), as reported by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada on Facebook.
Ferrer, released in January after several years of political imprisonment, was arrested again in April, after resuming his humanitarian work from his home in the Altamira neighborhood.
From there, he organized the daily delivery of food and medicine to dozens of vulnerable people, including children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses, a social effort that visibly troubled the government.
According to reports from neighbors and acquaintances, their home was raided early in the morning by a heavy police operation. Regime forces violently removed them and confiscated numerous personal belongings and donations stored in their home, including food, clothing, and equipment, which completely paralyzed their solidarity initiative.
Since then, dozens of people who used to go daily to Ferrer's makeshift dining hall have been left adrift amid the severe economic crisis affecting the island. Many of them, as stated by Mayeta Labrada, have resumed wandering the streets in search of assistance.
The appearance of the poster at the Santiagueran polyclinic —located several kilometers from Ferrer's residence— reflects that, despite the repression, there is still citizen support for his cause.
José Daniel Ferrer is regarded as one of the most prominent political prisoners in Cuba, and international organizations have repeatedly demanded his release.
Frequently Asked Questions about José Daniel Ferrer and Repression in Cuba
Who is José Daniel Ferrer?
José Daniel Ferrer is a prominent Cuban opposition leader and founder of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU). He has been imprisoned several times for his political activities in support of democracy and human rights in Cuba. He is a symbol of peaceful resistance against the Cuban socialist regime.
Why was José Daniel Ferrer arrested again?
José Daniel Ferrer was arrested in April 2025 after resuming his humanitarian work, which made the Cuban government uncomfortable. His detention occurred as a political retaliation for his activism and for organizing the delivery of food and medicine to vulnerable individuals, reflecting the systematic repression he faces from the regime.
How does the repression of the Cuban regime affect Ferrer's humanitarian work?
The repression of the Cuban regime has completely paralyzed Ferrer's solidarity initiative, preventing the distribution of food and medicines to vulnerable individuals. The blockade around his home and the harassment of his collaborators have left dozens of people without assistance amid an acute economic crisis on the island.
What has been the international response to the detention of José Daniel Ferrer?
International organizations and democratic governments have repeatedly called for the release of José Daniel Ferrer, considering him one of the most emblematic political prisoners in Cuba. The international community has expressed its rejection of the harassment and repression that Ferrer faces, urging the Cuban regime to respect human rights and free political prisoners.
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