Cuban opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer has issued a direct and fiery message to Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, amidst escalating military tensions in the region and an unprecedented U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean.
In a post on X, Ferrer urged the Venezuelan leader to relinquish power before meeting a fate similar to that of historical figures who were overthrown by force or held accountable for heinous crimes.
"Leave now, take Diosdado, Padrino, and the Rodríguez brothers with you. Avoid ending up like Saddam Hussein, Gaddafi, or Milosevic," Ferrer wrote, adding that those in power in both Venezuela and Cuba are criminal narcoterrorists.
"When you leave, to Russia or China?, stop by Cuba and take Raúl Castro, Díaz-Canel, and Marrero with you. Don't leave them behind; their time is running out too," he stated.
The activist urged the leaders to "not delay" and flee before it is too late.
"It is time for Venezuela and Cuba to be free and happy," he emphasized.
Ferrer accompanied his message with an image taken on Wednesday at the White House, where senior Pentagon officials presented President Donald Trump with updated military options for operations in Venezuela.
Sources cited by CBS confirmed that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, and other officials presented the president with proposals, including potential ground attacks.
Although no final decision has been made, the very existence of these deliberations sent a clear signal to Caracas.
Increased U.S. Military Pressure
Ferrer’s warnings coincide with a new U.S. military operation announced under the name Southern Spear, unveiled by Hegseth as a massive hemispheric security effort.
According to the secretary, Trump's directive marks a decisive step in the U.S. offensive against drug trafficking networks in Latin America, but its political significance cannot be ignored: it is a direct message of pressure on the Chávez regime, which Washington has long accused of having ties to drug trafficking.
The operation, led by the U.S. Southern Command, has not been detailed in tactical terms, raising questions about whether it involves a new deployment or simply a reorganization of existing forces.
However, what has unmistakably intensified is the military presence: destroyers, amphibious forces, and the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest in the world, are already operating near Venezuelan shores.
Simultaneously, the United States has conducted at least twenty lethal strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in approximately 80 deaths.
Maduro's Response and Military Maneuvers
In response to the growing international pressure and the increasing possibility of direct military actions, Maduro accused the United States of creating "false narratives" to justify its militarization of the hemisphere.
"Since they can't say we have hidden biological or chemical weapons, they invent an absurd narrative," the Venezuelan leader declared in a televised speech.
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López described the U.S. deployment as a "vulgar attack against sovereignty and peace."
The internal reaction was swift: Caracas activated military exercises mobilizing 200,000 soldiers, attempting to show strength in the face of what they call an "imperialist threat."
A Region on Edge
With the USS Gerald Ford strike group already within the jurisdiction of the Southern Command and lethal operations increasing, the region is experiencing one of the most tense military moments of the past decade.
In this scenario, Ferrer's message gains greater resonance: it is not just a political warning, but also an echo of the growing international perception that Maduro faces accelerated isolation and a real risk of confrontation.
Ferrer, a prominent figure in the Cuban opposition, used this context to link the Venezuelan crisis with that of Cuba, urging both Maduro and Havana's leaders to step down before their fate is decided by external forces or internal uprisings.
"Don't betray each other, flee together," he wrote.
As the United States reaffirms its military capabilities in the hemisphere and escalates pressure on Caracas, his words resonate in a climate where every move carries significant geopolitical weight.
Key Questions on U.S. and Venezuela Tensions
What did José Daniel Ferrer advise Nicolás Maduro?
José Daniel Ferrer urged Nicolás Maduro to step down and flee Venezuela to avoid a fate similar to that of Saddam Hussein or Gaddafi.
What is the U.S. military operation "Southern Spear"?
"Southern Spear" is a U.S. military operation aimed at combating drug trafficking networks in Latin America, serving as a direct message of pressure against the Chávez regime in Venezuela.
How has Venezuela responded to U.S. military actions?
Venezuela has accused the U.S. of fabricating false narratives and has conducted military exercises with 200,000 soldiers to demonstrate strength against perceived threats.