Cuban dissident José Daniel Ferrer García raised alarm on Sunday about the harrowing physical state of Alexander Díaz Rodríguez, a political prisoner released after being convicted for his involvement in the July 11, 2021, protests in Cárdenas, Matanzas. Ferrer starkly compared Díaz Rodríguez's condition to that of prisoners in Nazi concentration camps.
Ferrer, who leads the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) and has been in exile in Miami since October 2025, shared a Facebook video displaying photos of Díaz Rodríguez immediately after his release. He warned that Díaz Rodríguez's life is "in constant danger."
"I just received a deeply shocking and moving photograph. It's undeniable evidence of what the Castro-communist regime's prison system does to political prisoners in Cuba," Ferrer stated in the video.
Health Crisis Behind Bars
Díaz Rodríguez was apprehended during the July 11 demonstrations and faced charges of "sedition" and "disrespect."
While imprisoned, he developed thyroid cancer and experienced severe weight loss, dropping from approximately 80-90 kilograms to a mere 52-55 kilograms, according to reports from Justicia 11J and Cubalex.
Ferrer noted that it was Javier Larrondo, the director of Prisoners Defenders, who informed him of the diagnosis: "He has throat thyroid cancer and never received the necessary medical care."
Immediate Action Required
"This man needs medicine, vitamins, food; he has nothing," Ferrer declared, announcing plans to urgently send supplies and medications.
Ferrer firmly dismissed any interpretation of the release as a gesture of clemency by the regime: "He was released because he fully served his sentence. Don't let anyone tell me he was pardoned as an act of benevolence by the infamous and criminal tyranny."
Prison Conditions Compared to Nazi Camps
Ferrer condemned Cuban prisons as "Nazi-style concentration camps in the 21st century, in 2026," emphasizing that Díaz Rodríguez's case is far from isolated.
In the same video, he highlighted the dire situations of other political prisoners: "Roilán Álvarez is in critical health, in very hostile conditions, like Luis Manuel and Félix Navarro, who was recently brutally beaten."
Questionable Timing of "Pardons"
This situation arises weeks after the regime announced a pardon affecting more than 2,010 inmates on April 3. Ferrer and other dissidents criticized this as a propaganda move that largely excluded documented political prisoners.
According to Prisoners Defenders, as of February 2026, Cuba held 1,214 political prisoners, with 28 new cases documented that month, indicating that repression persists despite partial releases announced by Havana.
"Anyone who defends such a regime, who stands up for this tyranny, should feel ashamed to support that infamous and criminal tyranny," Ferrer concluded in his denunciation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Political Prisoners in Cuba
What are the charges against Alexander Díaz Rodríguez?
Alexander Díaz Rodríguez was charged with "sedition" and "disrespect" following his participation in the July 11 protests in Cárdenas, Matanzas.
Why was the release of political prisoners criticized?
The release was criticized as a propaganda gesture by the regime, as it excluded the majority of documented political prisoners and failed to address ongoing repression.
How many political prisoners are currently in Cuba?
As of February 2026, there were 1,214 political prisoners in Cuba, with 28 new cases reported that month.