Fresh insights have emerged regarding the recent assault on the headquarters of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) located in Santiago de Cuba. This incident is part of an ongoing wave of repression against activists opposing the Cuban regime.
In a statement to Martí Noticias, Luis Enrique Ferrer García, brother of opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer, condemned the operation, describing it as a raid "as if capturing an international terrorist." The attack involved combined forces from the political police, the National Revolutionary Police (PNR), and other repressive agencies.
Ferrer García reported that every activist present at the headquarters was apprehended, and authorities seized food and resources intended to assist hundreds of needy individuals in the city. The crackdown on the opposition leader did not begin with the assault, he noted, but rather since his release from prison. The government had embarked on a smear campaign using agents on social media, YouTube, and official outlets like Granma, the Communist Party's newspaper. This campaign, filled with "lies and visceral hatred," aimed to first discredit José Daniel Ferrer, ultimately justifying the repressive actions.
The attack on UNPACU's headquarters followed a series of arrests, threats, and detentions of individuals attempting to approach the site. The regime's forces eventually carried out the violent assault, capturing Ferrer, a leader renowned for his peaceful advocacy for Cuba's freedom and humanitarian efforts to feed those in dire need, supported by family, friends, and exiled members.
In Santiago de Cuba, there is speculation that authorities may revoke Ferrer's parole and send him back to prison. Ferrer, who has amassed over 12 years of political imprisonment through three lengthy sentences and numerous detentions, has been a documented victim of physical and psychological torture, as well as extended periods of isolation.
The UNPACU headquarters was not only a hub for opposition activities but also a distribution center for food and humanitarian aid to impoverished families in Santiago de Cuba amid a severe social and food crisis. "José Daniel was feeding hundreds of people who are literally starving, completely ignored by the dictatorship," stressed Ferrer García.
Human rights organizations and opposition members have called for solidarity with José Daniel Ferrer and all detainees, demanding their immediate release while reiterating calls for freedom for all political prisoners and the Cuban populace.
Parole Revocation and Arrests
The Cuban regime has officially revoked José Daniel Ferrer's parole, granted merely three months ago as part of a negotiated agreement between the Vatican and the United States. Maricela Sosa, vice president of the Supreme People's Court, claimed Ferrer allegedly violated parole conditions by missing two mandatory court hearings.
His arrest took place during the assault on the UNPACU headquarters in the Altamira district. Alongside Ferrer, his wife, Nelva Ismaray Ortega Tamayo, his young son Daniel José, and activists Roilán Zárraga Ferrer and Fernando González Vaillant were detained and taken to undisclosed locations.
Ana Belkis Ferrer, Ferrer's sister, denounced the complete ransacking of the residence and issued an urgent plea for international solidarity. "Miserable and cowardly tyrannical criminals! We demand their immediate release and that of all detained and political prisoners," she wrote on her brother's X account (formerly Twitter), using the hashtag #SOSCuba.
Repression and Humanitarian Efforts
Following his temporary release, José Daniel Ferrer intensified his humanitarian efforts, distributing food and medicine to hundreds of people in extreme vulnerability in Santiago de Cuba. This social activity, which garnered widespread popular support, became a new target for repression by the regime, which surveilled, harassed, and eventually dismantled the aid operations.
Ferrer’s prominence as an opposition leader and his humanitarian work alarmed the repressive system, which, according to local reports, now seeks to imprison him again under similar conditions he endured in the past: extreme isolation and physical and psychological torture.
Key Questions About the UNPACU Raid and Repression
What were the consequences of the raid on UNPACU's headquarters?
The raid resulted in the arrest of all activists present, the confiscation of food and resources intended for the needy, and the capture of opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer.
How has José Daniel Ferrer been targeted by the Cuban regime?
Ferrer has faced a smear campaign to discredit him, physical and psychological torture, and the threat of returning to prison under harsh conditions.
What is the significance of the UNPACU headquarters in Santiago de Cuba?
The headquarters served as a hub for opposition activities and a distribution center for food and humanitarian aid to impoverished families amidst a severe crisis.
Why was José Daniel Ferrer's parole revoked?
The regime claimed Ferrer violated parole conditions by missing two mandatory court hearings, leading to the revocation of his parole.