The national headquarters of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) in Santiago de Cuba, which also served as the home of opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer, was left in ruins following a violent police raid in the early hours of Monday, April 29. Family members reported that the raid ended with the arrest and forced disappearance of the dissident, alongside the complete looting of the premises.
In a video shared by the organization, Gabriel Ferrer Sánchez, the opponent's nephew, displayed the devastation left by the political police. “They took everything: food, medicines, money, phones, appliances, lamps, even the child’s cookies. They destroyed it all,” he stated while walking through the disordered rooms filled with broken furniture and holes in ceilings and walls. The residence functioned as a humanitarian aid center for those in need in Santiago de Cuba.
Family's Ordeal and Forced Removal
Nelva Ismaray Ortega Tamayo, Ferrer's wife, was also detained along with their young son. She reported being forcibly removed around six in the morning, without a chance to wash or collect basic belongings. “They took us to a house in Versalles under the guise of child protection. They claimed it was an advisory, not a threat. But it was an abduction. My husband was taken, and we don’t know where he is,” she declared.
Official Justifications and Continued Harassment
The Cuban regime justified the operation by claiming that Ferrer violated the terms of his conditional release. The Supreme Court cited his "repeated antisocial behavior," although family and activists argue it was punishment for his humanitarian efforts. Just days prior, Ferrer had publicly denounced the barriers to assisting needy communities.
Repression and International Outcry
UNPACU’s headquarters has been a frequent target of harassment over the years. In 2020, regime supporters threw rotten eggs at the house in the dead of night. In 2021, another act of repudiation involved the hurling of excrement as intimidation. Authorities never investigated these incidents.
Human rights organizations have condemned the escalating repression against dissent on the island and are demanding the safe return of José Daniel Ferrer. Meanwhile, the exiled community and UNPACU supporters insist that feeding, healing, and supporting the most vulnerable should not be criminalized.
Questions About José Daniel Ferrer's Disappearance
What happened during the police raid on UNPACU headquarters?
A violent police raid took place at the UNPACU headquarters in Santiago de Cuba, resulting in the arrest and disappearance of opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer, as well as the complete looting of the premises.
Why was José Daniel Ferrer's home raided by the police?
The Cuban government claims the raid was due to Ferrer violating the terms of his conditional release, citing his repeated antisocial behavior. However, activists argue it was a form of punishment for his humanitarian work.
How has UNPACU been targeted in the past?
The UNPACU headquarters has faced repeated harassment, including incidents where rotten eggs and excrement were thrown at the building by regime supporters. These acts have never been investigated by authorities.