The prominent Cuban opposition leader, José Daniel Ferrer, has openly criticized two U.S. Democratic congressmembers, accusing them of being “accomplices” of the Cuban regime following their recent visit to the island, where they met with government officials.
Ferrer’s comments come after Pramila Jayapal and Jonathan Jackson traveled to Havana, holding discussions with Miguel Díaz-Canel and advocating for a change in Washington's policy towards Cuba.
In a video uploaded to his X profile, Ferrer denounced the visit as an act of “immorality,” claiming that the lawmakers “go to Cuba to shake hands with the tyrant, applaud the tyranny, and become complicit in the oppression, poverty, and repression.”
Having been exiled to the United States after years of imprisonment in Cuba, the opposition figure highlighted that the Cuban regime continues to persecute activists and citizens, including minors, and accused Havana of using prisons as a tool for social control.
Ferrer also took aim at a letter signed by numerous Democratic congressmembers blaming U.S. policy for worsening the crisis in Cuba, arguing that the situation is a direct result of the model imposed by the regime.
In his statement, he defended the continuation of sanctions and pressure orchestrated by former President Donald Trump and urged Washington not to yield to those pushing for closer ties with the Cuban government.
He also warned of Havana's international alliances with countries such as Russia, China, and Iran, labeling them adversaries of the United States and democratic values.
Ferrer stressed that any easing of U.S. policy would only serve to strengthen the ruling elite in Cuba, whom he holds responsible for the economic crisis, political repression, and lack of freedoms on the island.
Recently, Ferrer rejected the regime's announcement of pardoning 2,010 prisoners on April 3 as a humanitarian gesture for Easter, pointing out that it excluded the vast majority of the more than 1,214 political prisoners documented by Prisoners Defenders as of February 2026.
Among those whose release Ferrer demanded are Félix Navarro, Sayli Navarro, Maykel Osorbo, and Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara.
The opposition leader dismissed any notion of the pardon being a trade-off for Russian oil, asserting that the Trump administration and Secretary of State Marco Rubio would not succumb to the regime's manipulations, unlike what occurred under the Biden administration.
Ferrer compared current negotiations with those conducted under Biden, stating that Trump would not repeat those mistakes, and cautioned that those within the U.S. political system who facilitate or justify deals with Havana are complicit with the dictatorship.
His stance aligns with that of Senator Rick Scott, who also condemned the regime’s pardon for excluding political prisoners.
The backdrop of Ferrer’s remarks is the severe energy crisis plaguing Cuba since January 2026, after Nicolás Maduro's capture severed 80-90% of Venezuelan oil imports, leading to daily blackouts lasting up to 20 hours and a nationwide healthcare collapse.
Understanding José Daniel Ferrer's Criticism of U.S. Policy Towards Cuba
Why did José Daniel Ferrer accuse U.S. politicians of complicity with the Cuban regime?
Ferrer accused U.S. politicians of complicity because they visited Cuba and held talks with government officials, which he sees as supporting the regime's oppressive practices.
What was Ferrer's stance on the U.S. sanctions against Cuba?
Ferrer supports the continuation of U.S. sanctions and pressure on Cuba, as he believes they are necessary to confront the regime's oppressive and undemocratic practices.
How did Ferrer view the international alliances of Cuba?
Ferrer warned against Cuba's alliances with countries like Russia, China, and Iran, which he describes as adversaries of the United States and threats to democratic values.