The United States government demanded this Friday from the Cuban regime an immediate proof of life for the opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer, who has been a victim of torture, beatings, abuse, and humiliation in the Mar Verde prison in Santiago de Cuba.
The statement was issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio through the social media platform X (formerly Twitter): “The Cuban regime continues to torture pro-democracy activist José Daniel Ferrer. The United States demands an immediate proof of life and the release of all political prisoners.”
Ferrer, leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), has been subjected to daily beatings since June 25 when Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Pineda Guerra “began the brutal beating” against him, joined by Lieutenant Chacón (second in command); Captain José Miguel Hechavarría Gorget (head of Interior Order); Major Luis Yanez Herrera (head of Educational Treatment); and Captain Liván Laugart Riquelme (head of the collective), as reported by family members.
So far, the Cuban government has not publicly responded to Washington's request. The island maintains its position of regarding Ferrer as a "destabilizing agent" funded from abroad, while continuing to deny allegations of torture and disappearance.
On June 29, Ferrer began a hunger strike to protest against his unjust imprisonment and the inhumane conditions he faces in prison.
The activist's sister, Ana Belkis Ferrer, explained that the hunger strike was started early by Ferrer, who had planned to begin it on July 1st, but due to the worsening of prison conditions, he decided to initiate his protest sooner.
Among the reasons cited for this extreme action are the maltreatment, abuse, hunger, lack of medical care, the provision of spoiled food, and contaminated water, which has led to illnesses among the prison population.
Since his most recent arrest on April 29, he has been subjected to harsh detention conditions. The regime revoked his parole without providing transparent legal justification, which was interpreted by international observers as a political retaliation.
The opposition member was immediately transferred to the Mar Verde prison to serve a sentence imposed in 2020 in a process described as arbitrary by human rights organizations. In mid-May, the opposition member told his family that he was being accused of propaganda against the constitutional order and disrespect towards the figure of Miguel Díaz-Canel.
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