Dr. Nelva Ismarays Ortega Tamayo, the wife of Cuban opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer, has opened up about a terrifying ordeal she endured at the hands of the Cuban regime while five months pregnant. In a recent interview with journalist Javier Díaz, Ortega recounted the brutal assault by State Security agents who threw her against a bunk bed and kicked her abdomen, endangering both her life and that of her unborn child.
Having long supported Ferrer's efforts with the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), Ortega had previously kept silent about the incident due to the deep trauma it caused. "It was a moment I completely erased from my mind, but now I feel compelled to speak out," she revealed.
Ortega, who recently arrived in Miami, detailed how she was violently detained by regime agents in Santiago de Cuba and forcefully transported while pregnant. During the arrest, officials showed no regard for her condition, brutally assaulting her. "They threw me against a bunk and kicked my stomach. I feared I had lost my baby," she shared, visibly shaken.
The Struggle for Freedom
This traumatic event took place while Ferrer was imprisoned in solitary confinement, facing political charges deemed by international bodies as ideologically motivated fabrications. Ortega asserted that such physical and psychological attacks were frequent against opposition families, aimed at breaking their spirit.
Recently, Ortega, Ferrer, and their three children were exiled to Miami after being forced out by the Cuban government. Ferrer was released after over four years of harsh imprisonment as part of an agreement that resulted in their departure from Cuba.
Painful Departure from Cuba
In previous statements, Dr. Ortega expressed deep sorrow over leaving Cuba and the vulnerable individuals she cared for as a doctor in Santiago de Cuba. "It is incredibly painful to leave behind so many in need, mothers with nothing to feed their children, people without access to medicine or healthcare," she tearfully stated during a conference at the Cuban American National Foundation.
She recounted how, before their exile, many people came to bid farewell and express gratitude for her family's support. "We always tried to help the poorest and share what little we had. But the regime takes pleasure in the suffering of its people. It delights in their misery and humiliation," she condemned.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nelva Ortega's Experience
What did Nelva Ortega experience during her pregnancy in Cuba?
Nelva Ortega was violently assaulted by State Security agents while five months pregnant, putting her and her unborn child at risk.
Why have Nelva Ortega and José Daniel Ferrer been exiled from Cuba?
They were forced into exile as part of an agreement following Ferrer's release from a harsh four-year imprisonment on politically motivated charges.
How has Nelva Ortega contributed to her community in Cuba?
Dr. Ortega provided medical care to vulnerable individuals in Santiago de Cuba, often helping those without access to essential resources.