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The Cuban boxer Yordenis Ugás described the arrival in Miami of the opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer and his family, exiled from Cuba by the Havana regime, as “a special day.”
“Today, we Cubans who live in freedom had a special day. We welcomed José Daniel Ferrer and his family in lands of freedom,” Ugás wrote in a message posted on his Facebook profile, accompanied by a photograph with the leader of the Unión Patriótica de Cuba (UNPACU).
"Thank God for his strength, and he arrived with health and emotion. But he leaves Cuba with his dignity intact and his head held high. One of the bravest men in Cuba," added the athlete.
Ugás recalled Ferrer's long imprisonment and called for respect towards him within the Cuban exile community. "Several times in prison for more than a decade and a fighter for the freedom of our country and our families. He owes us nothing; he did his part, he made his sacrifice, unfortunately, for a people that did not support him. I thank him for his struggle. I hope every Cuban in our community gives him respect and treats him as a hero, as our hero," he wrote.
The Cuban boxing champion asserted that he will continue to demand freedom for the political prisoners still in Cuba. “We will keep asking for freedom for all the political prisoners who remain in our country. We will keep asking for freedom for all our heroes. God, Homeland, Life, Freedom,” he concluded.
The message on Facebook from the boxer comes shortly after Ferrer's arrival in the United States, following his direct deportation from Mar Verde prison to Santiago de Cuba airport, as reported by the Cuban Observatory for Human Rights (OCDH). Ferrer traveled with his wife, Nelva Ismarays Ortega Tamayo, and three of his children, and was welcomed at the Miami International Airport by activists and members of the exile community.
Ugás has maintained a close relationship with the Ferrer family for over a decade. In a story he shared in January this year, the boxer recalled that he met Luis Enrique Ferrer, brother of the dissident, in 2012 when he sought to get involved in support projects for the opposition on the island. “He told me the whole story of the black spring, in which both were sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison,” Ugás wrote at that time.
In 2023, the boxer publicly expressed his admiration for the opposition leader, whom he called “the bravest man in Cuba.” Earlier this year, after speaking with Ferrer on the phone, he stated that he felt “honored” by his appreciation and accepted his proposal for a public conversation, asserting that it would be “an honor,” as he expressed on social media.
Expressions of support following the exile of José Daniel Ferrer
The exile of José Daniel Ferrer has generated a wide wave of solidarity among figures of the exile community, culture, and politics. Voices such as those of Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, Congressman Carlos A. Giménez, and artist Yunior García Aguilera condemned the exile and highlighted the symbolism of his arrival in the United States as an act of resistance against the Cuban regime.
The singer La Diosa welcomed him with a message in which she called him “a hero who truly deserves respect.” “He has done so much for Cubans, he has spent many years of his life in dungeons, and no one can take that away from him,” she expressed in a video posted on her social media.
The singer-songwriter Willy Chirino also published a message in which he referred to the leader of UNPACU as “one of the true heroes of the struggle for freedom in Cuba.” “Eager to see you in person, give you a hug and thank you for everything you have done and still have to do for our people,” the artist wrote.
From the headquarters of the Cuban American National Foundation (FNCA), activist Rosa María Payá stated that Ferrer is “a hero for all Cubans” and assured that “this exile will be short.”
The United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, celebrated the arrival of the opposition figure and demanded the release of the more than 700 political prisoners still incarcerated on the island.
Ferrer’s first words from exile
In his first message from Miami, José Daniel Ferrer thanked those who made his departure from the country possible and reaffirmed his commitment to the Cuban democratic cause. “The fight continues with renewed strength. We must unite and make our struggle for freedom very effective. We must topple the infamous and criminal tyranny; we must save Cuba,” he wrote on his Facebook profile.
Upon his arrival in the city, he was honored with the Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom, awarded by exile organizations in recognition of his career as an opponent.
Frequently Asked Questions about José Daniel Ferrer's Exile and Yordenis Ugás' Reaction
Who is José Daniel Ferrer and why was he exiled from Cuba?
José Daniel Ferrer is a Cuban opposition leader and founder of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU). He was exiled from Cuba by the Cuban regime after a long period of imprisonment due to his political activism. His exile was the result of extreme pressures and systematic violations of his human rights, which led him to accept exile to protect his family.
What role does Yordenis Ugás play in the context of Ferrer’s exile?
Yordenis Ugás, the Cuban boxer, has publicly shown support for José Daniel Ferrer. Ugás has expressed his admiration for Ferrer and has criticized the Cuban regime for human rights violations. Ugás considers Ferrer to be a hero and has called for respect for him within the Cuban community in exile.
What has been the reaction of the international community to Ferrer's exile?
The exile of José Daniel Ferrer has generated a wave of solidarity and international condemnation. Political figures and human rights activists have denounced the act as an example of repression in Cuba. There have been calls for the release of all political prisoners on the island, and the international community has been urged to pressure the Cuban regime to respect human rights.
How has exile affected Ferrer's family?
Exile has been a painful experience for the family of José Daniel Ferrer. His wife, Nelva Ismarays Ortega Tamayo, has expressed her sorrow for leaving behind the needy people in Cuba whom they helped. The family has faced moments of tension and fear due to the reprisals from the Cuban regime, but they are relieved to now be free.
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