A year ago, I came out of hell, and I long to return to a transitioning Cuba as soon as possible

A year ago, on October 13, 2025, after more than five months of beatings, torture, humiliation, hunger, contaminated water, bedbugs, and other cruel and inhumane treatment, I left the infernal Mar Verde prison in Santiago de Cuba in the morning, heading to the airport in that city. The tyranny forced me to leave my homeland under threats of condemning me to many more years in prison, imprisoning my wife, and sending our six-year-old son to an orphanage. After noon, we arrived at Miami International Airport, in the land of freedom.

A year has passed since that thrilling reception. Among those waiting for us were congressmen Mario Díaz-Balart and Carlos Giménez, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, and numerous compatriots. At the Cuban American National Foundation and other locations, we received countless expressions of affection and solidarity. Since then, many patriotic Cubans and good American friends have provided us with aid, protection, and warmth.

Twelve months have passed, and my son Daniel José is already seven years old. Seeing him joyful, active, energetic, and happy is one of our greatest satisfactions. In Cuba, he lived traumatized by the constant police raids on our home. He witnessed how they beat and detained his parents, how they looted our house and took away food, medicine, and even his toys. He also directly suffered from the repressive violence, just like my older children.

When school started in the United States, my wife arranged private transportation because we still didn’t have a car. Upon seeing that the vehicle was a white van, similar to those used by the political police in Cuba, our little one panicked. He didn’t want to get in. We had to look for another option. That reaction showed just how much his innocent heart had suffered.

A year has passed, and we will never forget those who have extended their hand to us: the Cuban American and American officials and politicians, the Department of State, the Government and the American people, Juan Carlos Fernández from Ferco Motors, Iván Herrera from Univista, the Cuban American National Foundation, Santiago Álvarez, the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora, Martí Noticias, Rosa María Payá and our brothers from Cuba Decide, the PDP, the Assembly of Resistance, the other solidarity organizations, the media, Otaola, Eliecer Ávila, the Pichy Boys, the members of UNPACU, my family. To all of them, as the list is very long, we express our profound gratitude. There are so many that it is impossible to mention them all in one article.

A year has passed, and together with allied organizations and generous compatriots, we have managed to significantly increase support for political prisoners. We currently assist several dozen political prisoners each month. We also provide food and medicine to activists, families of prisoners, the elderly, children, and vulnerable families.

Thanks to some extraordinarily generous Cubans, we provide daily meals from Monday to Friday to several hundred people in great need in Cuba. We know that it is very little compared to the millions who suffer from hunger and deprivations of all kinds, but we work tirelessly to expand that assistance. Every plate of food, every medicine, represents solidarity, hope, and commitment to our brothers and sisters.

A year has passed, and international activity has also been intense. We have visited various European capitals, participated in meetings at the European Parliament, and held discussions with political representatives from thirteen European nations and Mexico. In Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, and other countries, we have advocated for the need for a firmer international policy towards the Cuban dictatorship and greater solidarity with political prisoners, pro-democracy opponents, and the general population.

Recently in Germany, we met with Bundestag members, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and friends from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. We have also engaged in efforts in Washington, including discussions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and strengthened relationships with congress members, human rights advocacy organizations, and international allies.

A year of work, reports, interviews, conferences, articles, meetings, and efforts to raise awareness about the situation of political prisoners, repression, hunger, and national tragedy. We have worked towards greater coordination among democratic forces, to increase non-violent civic actions, and to prepare proposals for a democratic transition and the reconstruction of Cuba.

A year has passed, and we are part of the Agreement for the Liberation of Cuba. We continue to insist that we must further energize the struggle for freedom, convinced that our homeland can and must be free as soon as possible. The dictatorship is exhausted, increasingly weakened, and fearful. What delays its end is primarily the insufficient coordination and the lack of more vigorous and effective actions. We need to work harder and smarter, with intelligence, discipline, generosity, unity, and complete selflessness. Selfishness, pettiness, and mediocrity continue to impact the struggle.

A year has passed, and I long to return to my beloved homeland as soon as possible. I am deeply grateful for the freedom, opportunities, and extraordinary generosity with which this great nation has welcomed us. But my homeland is Cuba. That is where my roots are, my memories, many brothers in struggle, and millions of compatriots who suffer.

I wish to return, embrace my people, and contribute directly to the democratization and reconstruction of our homeland. I want to see a free, democratic, prosperous, just, and supportive Cuba rise again.

I want to see our beautiful Cuba, that land which Christopher Columbus is said to have claimed was the most beautiful that human eyes had ever seen, transformed into the freest, most prosperous, and happiest nation that human eyes have ever beheld.

I am ready to return. I do not want to live forever away from my homeland. I want to go back to a free Cuba, and I ask the United States government that any negotiations with the communist regime take into account the return and the safety of all of us who wish to return to our homeland.

A year ago, I escaped the hell of a communist prison and brought my family to safety. But my greatest wish is for all the Cuban people to be able to live in freedom as soon as possible. The freedom and well-being of my people are my greatest dream.