Dr. Nelva Ismarays Ortega Tamayo, the wife of prominent opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer García, arrived in Miami on Monday after being exiled by the Cuban regime. She expressed deep sorrow for leaving behind numerous individuals in need, to whom she had been providing food and medical assistance at her home.
Ortega, a physician by profession, traveled with Ferrer and three of their children on a direct flight from Santiago de Cuba to Miami. This journey marked the end of a prolonged negotiation process that resulted in Ferrer's forced exile after his release from unjust imprisonment.
During a press conference held at the Cuban American National Foundation (FNCA) headquarters, where the founder of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) addressed the media, Ortega shared her emotional struggle. She couldn't hold back tears as she described the painful reality of being compelled to leave their homeland, a condition set for Ferrer's release.
Emotional Departure and Lingering Concerns
Ortega admitted that the situation was "extremely challenging." She noted, "One might think about traveling someday, but not under these circumstances." While they were "happy to be free," she confessed, with a trembling voice, the sadness of "leaving family, friends, and many social cases behind."
Just before departing for the airport, those who had benefited from her aid approached her with worry. "This morning, amid the rain, they asked me, 'Doctor, what happens now? Without José Daniel, without you, what will we do?'" Ortega recounted.
She explained that they had always aimed to support the impoverished population amid the severe food crisis in the country, holding the government accountable for the hardships endured by Cubans, particularly the most vulnerable. "It pains me to see how the regime seems to relish in the suffering of its people. Mothers struggle to provide for their children without electricity or food, as the government fails to supply even the basics, including medical care," she asserted.
Fear and Uncertainty Before Exile
Ortega shared the anxiety-filled moments leading up to their exile. They feared that State Security agents might storm their home at dawn to force them to the airport in secrecy. Despite the harassment, she found solace in the words of her children, Danielito and Anbita, who reassured her that, in a free country, they could finally be with their father and enjoy their time together.
Reflecting on the impact of Ferrer's imprisonment on their younger children, she recounted, "It was during his incarceration that we celebrated Anita's first birthday with her father, at age eleven. These moments are both cherished and painful."
She expressed the heartache of seeing her children suffer due to a "criminal and murderous regime," emphasizing that the greatest victims are the children who are separated from their parents.
Relief and Resolve
Ortega described the tense wait at the airport before boarding their flight, lasting nearly two hours until they reunited with Ferrer at the plane's door. "We didn’t breathe until we were all together," she recalled.
Ferrer, addressing the situation, explained, "I feared they might send me alone to Guyana or Nicaragua, leaving my family behind as hostages. I told them: kill me if you must, but I will not abandon my family."
The opposition leader accepted the exile imposed by the island's regime as a condition for his release from prison. Shortly before noon on October 13, he traveled to Miami with his wife, family members, and a consular team from the U.S. Embassy in Cuba.
Questions About José Daniel Ferrer’s Exile
Why was José Daniel Ferrer exiled from Cuba?
José Daniel Ferrer was exiled from Cuba as a result of lengthy negotiations that led to his release from arbitrary imprisonment. The Cuban regime imposed exile as a condition for his freedom.
What challenges did Nelva Ismarays Ortega face before leaving Cuba?
Before leaving Cuba, Nelva Ismarays Ortega faced anxiety and fear of State Security agents forcibly taking her family to the airport in secrecy, as well as the emotional struggle of leaving loved ones and those she helped behind.
How did Ferrer's imprisonment affect his family?
Ferrer’s imprisonment deeply affected his family, particularly his young children, who were separated from their father. His daughter Anita celebrated her first birthday with him while he was in prison, highlighting the emotional toll on the family.