José Daniel Ferrer, the prominent leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), delivered a stirring message at the Liberation Day Rally in Miami, commemorating the fifth anniversary of the July 11, 2021 protests. His speech was a powerful blend of denunciation, hope, and an urgent call to perpetual action.
Organized by the Cuban Freedom March under Alián Collazo's leadership, the event began with a march from La Casa del Preso on Little Havana's Calle Ocho and concluded with a main rally at Domino Park, lasting into the evening.
On stage, Ferrer reflected on the historical impact of those 2021 demonstrations, where Cubans across more than forty cities, from San Antonio to eastern regions, took to the streets. He highlighted that oppression remains unyielding: "Five years have passed since those glorious protests. Hundreds of political prisoners endure violence, torture, extreme hunger, malnutrition, tuberculosis, scabies, and numerous other dangerous illnesses."
Ferrer emphasized that despite 67 years under dictatorship, the island's resistance is undeterred: "The people have not surrendered. They continue banging pots, blocking streets, building barricades, lighting fires during blackouts, and painting graffiti against tyranny."
The opposition leader firmly rejected the notion of limiting the struggle to specific dates: "The fight is not just about July 11th, not about ten days a year, not even 100. It is a daily battle. It requires energy, strategy, sacrifice, intelligence, knowledge, discipline, and above all, immense love for Cuba."
Exiled from Cuba in October 2025 after over four years in Santiago de Cuba's Mar Verde prison, Ferrer also highlighted the political support for Cuba's cause in Washington: "Today, five years after July 11th, we are undoubtedly stronger and closer to freedom because we have friends in the United States. We have President Donald Trump, Senator Marco Rubio, Cuban-American congressmen, and senators like Rick Scott and Ashley Moody."
The fifth anniversary of the July 11th protests comes with stark figures underscoring the repression's scale: as of May 2026, 1,281 individuals were imprisoned for political reasons in Cuba, with at least 338 directly connected to the 2021 protests.
On April 2, 2026, the regime released 2,010 prisoners in a purported humanitarian gesture, excluding those convicted of crimes against authority, a category that includes most July 11th detainees. Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, leader of the San Isidro Movement, faced the end of his sentence on July 9th without any reduction from the People's Supreme Court.
The Little Havana event also featured an art exhibition at the Tower Theater, including performances, poetry, and the documentary "Cuba y La Noche," along with a performance by singer Aymée Nuviola.
Ferrer concluded his remarks with a hopeful promise reflecting the event's spirit: "Today, we are closer to the moment when tyranny will fall, and we will have a Free Cuba for all and for the good of all, as Martí dreamed."
Understanding the Impact of July 11th Protests in Cuba
What is the significance of the July 11th protests in Cuba?
The July 11th protests in Cuba in 2021 were a significant display of public dissent against the government, with thousands of Cubans taking to the streets across multiple cities to demand freedom and better living conditions. It marked one of the largest anti-government demonstrations in decades.
Who is José Daniel Ferrer?
José Daniel Ferrer is a Cuban dissident and the leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), an opposition group advocating for democratic reforms in Cuba. He has been a prominent figure in the Cuban opposition, enduring imprisonment and exile due to his activism.
Why are political prisoners still an issue in Cuba?
Political prisoners remain an issue in Cuba due to the government's ongoing repression and criminalization of dissent. The regime continues to silence opposition voices through arrests and harsh sentences, often charging activists with crimes against authority.