Cuban-American Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar has called upon the international community to cease ignoring the crimes committed by the Cuban regime. "The dictatorship operates like a mafia, and the world can no longer turn a blind eye! We demand the immediate release of José Daniel Ferrer, Félix Navarro, and all political prisoners on the island!" the Republican representative declared on X.
Salazar referenced a letter endorsed by numerous national and international organizations that insist on the swift and unconditional release of these political prisoners in Cuba, specifically highlighting the opposition figures Ferrer and Navarro. This call to action was initiated by the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) and supported by entities such as Freedom House, Prisoners Defenders, People in Need, Civil Rights Defenders, along with various Latin American solidarity groups and Cuban exile organizations.
The Plight of José Daniel Ferrer and Félix Navarro
Recently, Ferrer and Navarro were detained once more and returned to prison for alleged violations of parole amidst a backdrop of heightened state repression. Both had been released in January, thanks to an agreement between the Cuban regime and the Vatican, which also benefited over 230 other political prisoners who were under a mixed imprisonment-house arrest regime.
However, their re-incarceration, shortly after the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, highlights that these releases were not genuine gestures of openness but rather temporary pauses in a repressive strategy. This is evidenced by the ongoing wave of short-term arbitrary detentions targeting dissidents.
The organizations involved reminded the public that the cases of Ferrer and Navarro, along with the more than 1,150 current political prisoners, are part of a systematic repression policy. This has been documented by UN bodies and international NGOs, which have reported due process violations, mistreatment, and imprisonments based on conscience.
Understanding Cuba's Political Repression
Why does María Elvira Salazar emphasize international attention on Cuba?
María Elvira Salazar stresses the importance of international attention because she believes the Cuban regime's actions are comparable to mafia operations, demanding global intervention to secure the release of political prisoners.
What led to the re-arrest of José Daniel Ferrer and Félix Navarro?
Ferrer and Navarro were re-arrested for alleged parole violations amidst a period of intensified repression by the Cuban state.
How have international organizations responded to the situation in Cuba?
International organizations have documented systematic repression in Cuba and have called for the immediate release of political prisoners, highlighting the ongoing violations of human rights and due process.