The Cuban opposition leader and political prisoner José Daniel Ferrer, head of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), is in critical condition inside Mar Verde prison, as reported this Saturday by his sister, Ana Belkis Ferrer, through social media.
Ferrer, one of the most well-known political prisoners on the island, has been suffering from constant diarrhea for 31 days and presents injuries on his scalp, in addition to surviving on the meager food supplies that were allowed to be delivered to him on May 10, the opposition member reported on Facebook.
According to the publication, he shares a cell with five other inmates in a very cramped space and under suffocating heat, conditions that further worsen his physical state.
"The food is terribly bad, often with a stench and very scarce. José Daniel does not eat these 'foods,'" his sister stated.
It also warned of an outbreak of chickenpox and a plague of bedbugs affecting the entire prison, in an environment characterized by overcrowding, malnutrition, and constant abuse.
The situation described is not limited to Mar Verde, the prison in Santiago de Cuba, in the eastern part of the island.
According to Ana Belkis, inmates continue to die in Boniato prison, also in the same province, and four special detachments have been established for prisoners in a state of severe malnutrition.
“These are concentration camps in the Nazi style,” he denounced, directly holding the Cuban regime responsible for committing “cruelties, injustices, and crimes” against the prisoners.
Ferrer was arrested again on July 11, 2021, in the context of the historic protests of July 11, and in January he was released as part of an agreement between the regime and the Vatican.
However, three weeks ago the measure was revoked and the opposition leader was sent back to prison.
Since then, he has been held in inhumane conditions, without adequate access to medical care, and has undertaken several hunger strikes to protest his situation.
Activists, human rights organizations, and members of the exile community have repeatedly stated that Ferrer is being subjected to cruel and inhumane treatment, violating not only international human rights laws but also Cuba's own prison regulations.
The latest complaint and posters that have appeared in the last few hours in Santiago de Cuba calling for Ferrer's release rekindle demands for his release and that of all political prisoners on the island.
Meanwhile, his health is rapidly deteriorating, which his family and advocates see as a systematic attempt by the regime to break him physically and psychologically.
"Freedom for all our political prisoners," concluded Ana Belkis Ferrer.
Frequently Asked Questions about José Daniel Ferrer and the Situation of Political Prisoners in Cuba
What is the current health status of José Daniel Ferrer in prison?
José Daniel Ferrer is in critical condition in Mar Verde prison, suffering from constant diarrhea and scalp injuries, exacerbated by poor nutrition and overcrowding. These conditions violate not only international human rights but also Cuban prison regulations.
Why was José Daniel Ferrer arrested again in 2025?
José Daniel Ferrer was arrested again in April 2025 after his probation was revoked. Authorities claimed he failed to appear at two mandatory court hearings, an argument that activists consider arbitrary and a political reprisal for his human rights activism in Cuba.
What conditions do political prisoners face in Cuba?
Political prisoners in Cuba, such as José Daniel Ferrer, face inhumane conditions, including overcrowding, malnutrition, lack of medical attention, and cruel treatment. International organizations have denounced these systematic human rights violations, demanding the release of all political prisoners.
What role does José Daniel Ferrer's family play in his defense?
The family of José Daniel Ferrer, especially his sister Ana Belkis Ferrer, plays a crucial role in his defense, continuously denouncing the human rights violations he has suffered. They use social media and international platforms to raise awareness of his situation and demand justice for him and other political prisoners in Cuba.
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