The Cuban opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer turns 55 years old on July 29, but he does so confined in a punishment cell at Mar Verde prison in Santiago de Cuba, under conditions that his family and human rights organizations describe as “cruel, inhuman, and degrading.”
There are no hugs, no cake, no celebration. Only the echo of confinement, physical deterioration, and the political violence of a regime that has turned its anniversary into a stifled cry drowned out by the silence of repression.
Ferrer, founder of the Cuban Patriotic Union (UNPACU), was arrested again in April, after the regime revoked his parole, claiming a supposed contempt for failing to appear before a judge.
Since then, he has reportedly been subjected to beatings, threats, torture, denial of medical attention, and confinement with common inmates used as a means of psychological pressure.
His wife, Nelva Ismarays Ortega-Tamayo, was the only one authorized to see him during a recent visit controlled and monitored by State Security. She found him weak, with a persistent cough, a ruptured eardrum, muscle pain, and symptoms that could indicate tuberculosis. Out of fear of contagion, he didn’t even dare to kiss his loved ones.
The opponent remains confined in a cell infested with bedbugs and mosquitoes, forced to drink dirty water, with no access to medication or even minimal healthcare, after declaring a hunger strike on June 29 as a form of protest.
Despite his fragile condition, he continues to express his will to resist, but he has made it clear that he fears for his life and the safety of his family, who have been the target of threats.
“Not only do they not allow him to be free: they even take away the right to celebrate his birthday with dignity,” denounced the organization Cubalex.
The revocation of his release was upheld by the People's Supreme Court, in a decision that also impacted veteran dissident Félix Navarro, 72, in what international observers describe as a judicial maneuver with political motivations.
But neither public justifications nor institutional silences have managed to silence the international alarm: The United States has demanded his immediate release and the human rights community warns of the real risk that Ferrer may die in prison.
Today, José Daniel Ferrer turns 55 years old, not in freedom or surrounded by his children, but isolated and punished for the crime of dreaming of a free Cuba. His life is in danger, but his spirit, those who know him say, remains intact. Amidst confinement, he endures, dreams, and refuses to be silenced.
Frequently Asked Questions about José Daniel Ferrer's Situation in Cuba
Why is José Daniel Ferrer imprisoned?
José Daniel Ferrer was arrested following the revocation of his probation in April 2025, under accusations of contempt and propaganda against the constitutional order. However, international observers and human rights organizations believe that his imprisonment is a political retaliation for his activism and leadership in the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU).
What are Ferrer's imprisonment conditions?
José Daniel Ferrer is being held in conditions described as cruel, inhuman, and degrading in the Mar Verde prison. He has been subjected to beatings, torture, denial of medical care, and confinement with common prisoners used as a psychological pressure tactic. Furthermore, he is facing a critical health situation, with symptoms that could indicate tuberculosis.
What actions has Ferrer taken in protest of his imprisonment?
José Daniel Ferrer began a hunger strike on June 29, 2025 as a form of protest against his unjust imprisonment and the inhumane conditions he faces in prison. This extreme action aims to draw international attention to his situation and that of other political prisoners in Cuba.
What has been the international response to Ferrer's situation?
The international community has responded with condemnations of the Cuban regime and demands for the release of José Daniel Ferrer. The United States has called for proof of life and immediate release, while the European Parliament and various human rights organizations have expressed their concern regarding the health condition and political repression in Cuba.
How does this situation affect the family of José Daniel Ferrer?
The Ferrer family has also been subjected to repression and threats. His wife, Nelva Ismarays Ortega-Tamayo, has been detained and his family has been threatened with reprisals if Ferrer continues his protest. These actions aim to intimidate and silence those who support the Cuban opponent.
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