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The Cuban opposition leader Berta Soler, founder and current leader of the Ladies in White movement, sent an emotional message to José Daniel Ferrer following his forced exile to the United States, in which she acknowledged his dedication to the democratic cause and the high personal cost he has paid for standing up to the Cuban regime.
“Brother José Daniel, you did everything for the people of Cuba, and you nearly lost your life. That family needs you. You are already in a free country, a land of opportunities: the United States,” wrote Soler, whose words carry special significance as one of the main dissenting voices on the island.
The former political prisoner has led the organization Ladies in White for over two decades, made up of women who fight for the liberation of political prisoners in Cuba.
His support for Ferrer, who spent years in prison subjected to isolation and torture, reaffirms the need for unity among opposition sectors both inside and outside the island.
The message from Soler highlights not only Ferrer's personal suffering but also the urgent need for him to recover with his family after having been released and directly expelled from prison to exile in Miami.
This Monday, Ferrer has received numerous expressions of solidarity from activists, politicians, and Cuban citizens both inside and outside the country, following his arrival in the United States with his family.
Shortly after his arrival in the United States, Ferrer moved to the headquarters of the Cuban American National Foundation (FNCA) in Miami, where he held a press conference.
"That is the toughest question and the biggest challenge of all," he confessed when referring to how to balance his family life with his political activism.
"It is very complex and difficult because my intention is to reunite with my family. This child has hardly seen me since he was born."
Ferrer reported that his youngest son saw him for only three and a half months during the COVID-19 pandemic, following a brief release from Aguadores prison, before being incarcerated again.
“She—she said, pointing to her daughter—has barely seen me in her life, because since her birth, I spent more than half of the time in prison,” she emphasized.
Still, he reaffirmed his commitment to the cause: “I want to be there for them in every possible way, but I also want to stay very connected and coordinated with all my brothers in Cuba and in exile.”
The opposition leader assured those present that "the fight continues with renewed effort inside and outside of Cuba" and confessed to having "mixed feelings" in his first public statements on American soil.
"I am happy to be with my family, without the fear that our house will be broken into right now; happy to be in a land of freedom with so many good friends, very dear to me and my family, but very sad, especially for those who remain in prison," he stated.
With a Cuban flag draped over his shoulders, the Cuban dissident thanked the members of the exile community and journalists present at the FNCA, where he held a press conference.
He expressed that he felt very happy to be accompanied by his wife Nelva Ismarays Ortega Tamayo, three of his children, his nephew, and his brother, but he cautioned that not everything is joy: “It is a very tough, difficult, and sad moment because there are other brothers in Cuba who are surviving under terrible conditions in the worst prisons of the Western Hemisphere.”
Ferrer mentioned political prisoners such as Félix Navarro, Saylí Navarro, Sissi Abascal, Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, and Maykel Castillo, among others. He reaffirmed that the struggle is not over and is now intensifying "both inside and outside of Cuba."
We must put an end to the dictatorship before Donald Trump's administration ends, he stated, emphasizing that the U.S. also has a problem with communism in Cuba that must be addressed.
Regarding the reality of the opposition, he warned that "we know there are many agents pretending to be opponents in Cuba and also here," a reality that, he said, should not distract from the common goal: the freedom of all Cubans.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Exile of José Daniel Ferrer
Why was José Daniel Ferrer exiled from Cuba?
José Daniel Ferrer was exiled from Cuba as a result of a procedure by the Cuban regime that tried to present it as a legal act. However, this is a strategy to silence one of the most visible and critical opponents of the regime, following years of imprisonment and torture.
What has been the international reaction to the exile of José Daniel Ferrer?
The international community, including political figures and human rights organizations, has expressed solidarity with Ferrer and criticism of the Cuban regime. The United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, celebrated his arrival in the U.S., highlighting his activism as an inspiration and demanding the release of other political prisoners.
What does Ferrer's exile imply for the Cuban opposition?
The exile of Ferrer represents a continuation of his struggle from abroad, strengthening the unity and resistance of the Cuban opposition. Ferrer has declared that his commitment to the democratic cause remains unwavering and that he will intensify efforts both inside and outside of Cuba.
How has José Daniel Ferrer been received in the United States following his exile?
José Daniel Ferrer was welcomed with expressions of support and solidarity in Miami. Figures from the Cuban exile community, activists, and politicians have embraced him as a symbol of resistance, and he has been awarded the Truman-Reagan Medal for his fight against communism.
What message has Ferrer sent to Cubans after his arrival in exile?
José Daniel Ferrer has called for the unity of Cubans to end the dictatorship. He has stated that the conditions are favorable to work together, both inside and outside of Cuba, to achieve freedom and democracy on the island.
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