Cuban opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer, currently held at Mar Verde prison in Santiago de Cuba, has commenced a hunger strike to protest his unjust imprisonment and the inhumane conditions he faces. His sister, activist Ana Belkis Ferrer, made the announcement public, also revealing that Ferrer was brutally assaulted twice by individuals allegedly sent by the Cuban regime authorities.
"Ferrer is on a HUNGER STRIKE and has been BRUTALLY BEATEN twice. According to information received tonight, criminals serving the dictatorship, detained at Boniato prison, were brought to Mar Verde to attack José Daniel," Ana Belkis Ferrer shared on her official X (formerly Twitter) account.
The hunger strike was initially scheduled to start on July 1st, but Ferrer decided to advance it due to worsening prison conditions. He cited reasons such as mistreatment, abuse, hunger, lack of medical care, spoiled food, and contaminated water causing illness among inmates for his drastic action.
Severe Prison Conditions and Political Reprisals
Since his recent arrest on April 29, Ferrer has faced harsh detention conditions. The regime revoked his parole without clear legal justification, which international observers interpreted as political retaliation. Immediately transferred to Mar Verde prison, one of the toughest in the country, Ferrer serves a sentence imposed in 2020, deemed arbitrary by human rights organizations. In mid-May, he informed his family of accusations against him for propaganda against the constitutional order and disrespecting Miguel Díaz-Canel.
Family members and the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), led by Ferrer, have raised alarms about his physical and psychological deterioration, denouncing his isolation and lack of regular access to visits or medical attention. Ana Belkis Ferrer previously warned of her brother's "vision loss, severe pain, and alarming weight loss," now worsened by reported physical assaults.
International Outcry and Human Rights Advocacy
These allegations have fueled international condemnation. The European Parliament recently demanded the immediate release of José Daniel Ferrer and fellow dissident Félix Navarro. Meanwhile, the United States government condemned the repression against both activists, holding the Cuban regime accountable for their safety.
Human rights organizations in exile persistently emphasize the regime’s strategy to silence dissent through physical punishment, isolation, and psychological degradation. Ferrer's plight has become emblematic of the penitentiary system's use as a tool to suppress opposition and civil society activism in Cuba.
"We condemn the criminal acts against José Daniel and hold Raúl Castro, Díaz-Canel, and all their henchmen responsible for their actions," Ana Belkis Ferrer added, urging the international community to increase pressure on the Cuban regime.
Efforts to Keep Global Attention on Cuban Repression
In Miami, human rights activists have launched various campaigns to highlight Ferrer's case. A recent billboard demanding the immediate release of Ferrer and all Cuban political prisoners aims to keep the focus on the island's repression. Ferrer, a former prisoner of the 2003 Black Spring and a prominent figure in Cuban opposition, has endured multiple arrests and beatings throughout his political activism. His case starkly illustrates the systematic criminalization of dissent by the Havana regime.
Key Questions about José Daniel Ferrer's Situation
Why did José Daniel Ferrer start a hunger strike?
Ferrer began the hunger strike to protest his unjust imprisonment and inhumane conditions, including mistreatment, lack of medical care, and contaminated food and water.
What has been the international response to Ferrer's imprisonment?
The European Parliament has demanded his immediate release, and the U.S. has condemned the repression, holding the Cuban regime responsible for his safety.
What role does the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) play in this situation?
UNPACU, led by Ferrer, has been vocal about his deteriorating health and isolation, denouncing the Cuban regime's actions and advocating for his release.