Cuban dissident Berta Soler, who founded and currently leads the Ladies in White movement, reached out to José Daniel Ferrer with a heartfelt message following his forced exile to the United States. She acknowledged his dedication to the democratic cause and the high personal cost he has paid for standing against the Cuban regime. "Brother José Daniel, you did everything for the people of Cuba, and you nearly lost your life. That family needs you. You are now in a free country, a land of opportunities: the United States," Soler wrote, her words carrying weight as one of the island’s prominent dissenting voices.
Having spent over two decades leading the Ladies in White, a group of women fighting for the release of political prisoners in Cuba, Soler’s support for Ferrer underscores the necessity for unity among opposition sectors both inside and outside the island. Ferrer, who endured years in prison under isolation and torture, is now highlighted by Soler's message, emphasizing not just his personal suffering but also the urgent need for his recovery alongside his family following his release and direct expulsion from prison to exile in Miami.
Solidarity and Support in Miami
This past Monday, Ferrer was met with solidarity from activists, politicians, and Cuban citizens both at home and abroad upon his arrival in the United States with his family. Shortly after landing, Ferrer visited the Cuban American National Foundation (CANF) headquarters in Miami, where he held a press conference. Addressing the challenge of balancing family life with political activism, he remarked, "That's the hardest question and the greatest challenge of all."
Ferrer shared that his youngest child had only seen him for three and a half months during the COVID-19 pandemic due to his brief release from Aguadores prison before being re-incarcerated. "She," he said, gesturing towards his daughter, "has barely seen me in her life because I spent more than half of her life in prison," he emphasized. Nevertheless, Ferrer reiterated his commitment to the cause, stating, "I want to be there for them as much as possible, but I also want to stay very connected and coordinated with all my brothers in Cuba and in exile."
Commitment to the Cause
In his first public remarks on American soil, Ferrer expressed having "mixed feelings." He was glad to be with his family without fear of immediate danger, happy to be in a land of freedom surrounded by dear friends, yet deeply saddened for those still imprisoned. Draped in a Cuban flag, he thanked exiled community members and journalists at the CANF press conference. While grateful to be with his wife Nelva Ismarays Ortega Tamayo, three of his children, nephew, and brother, he warned that not everything is joyful: "It's a very tough, difficult, and sad moment because other brothers in Cuba survive in terrible conditions in the worst prisons of the Western Hemisphere."
Ferrer mentioned political prisoners like Félix Navarro, Saylí Navarro, Sissi Abascal, Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, and Maykel Castillo, among others. He reaffirmed that the struggle does not end, and now it intensifies "inside and outside of Cuba." He insisted that the dictatorship must end before the conclusion of Donald Trump's administration, emphasizing that the U.S. also faces a challenge with Cuban communism that must be addressed.
On the state of the opposition, Ferrer warned, "We know there are many agents posing as dissidents both in Cuba and here," a reality that, he stated, should not divert the common goal: the freedom of all Cubans.
FAQs on José Daniel Ferrer's Exile and Activism
What prompted José Daniel Ferrer's exile to the United States?
José Daniel Ferrer's exile to the United States was a result of his prolonged imprisonment and opposition to the Cuban regime, leading to his release and direct expulsion to Miami.
How has Ferrer been involved with the Cuban opposition?
Ferrer has been a prominent figure in the Cuban opposition, enduring years of imprisonment and advocating for democratic change, which has included coordinating with activists both inside Cuba and in exile.
What challenges does Ferrer face in balancing family and activism?
Ferrer faces the significant challenge of balancing his desire to reconnect with his family and his ongoing commitment to political activism, which involves coordinating efforts with fellow dissidents.