José Daniel Ferrer Urges Unity Inspired by María Corina Machado: "I'm Going Back to Cuba"

Cuban dissident José Daniel Ferrer called for the establishment of a cohesive and effective coalition to challenge the Havana regime, drawing inspiration from María Corina Machado's return to Venezuela. In his statement, Ferrer expressed his willingness to accompany the chosen leader of such an organization back to Cuba.

"I'm going back to Cuba with the leader of this effective and functional Unity," wrote the founder of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) on his X account.

His declaration is not an immediate announcement of return; rather, it is tied to the formation of a unified opposition capable of mobilizing and supporting the Cuban populace on the island.

Challenging the Status Quo

Ferrer emphasized the need to move beyond rhetoric and build a tangible structure, subtly criticizing those he referred to as "videogame heroes" without naming names. His complete message combines a critique of the opposition's disorganization with a personal commitment: electing a leader to operate within Cuba, supported by those ready to take action.

The Machado Precedent

This message followed Machado's confirmation of her return to Venezuela after nearly ten months abroad, marked by a simple statement: "I'm here. With you all."

Machado had initially left Venezuela clandestinely in December 2025, traveling by sea to Curaçao, and eventually to Norway to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Since then, she attempted to return multiple times through various routes.

One notable incident was "Operation Ithaca" in September 2026, when Venezuela denied her entry three times within 24 hours via maritime and air routes from Panama City.

Her eventual return was reportedly facilitated by an international diplomatic initiative that did not face resistance from the White House. Videos shared by Vente Venezuela on Sunday showed her being welcomed at the Divine Shepherdess Sanctuary in Santa Rosa, Lara state, and later in Yaracuy, amid supportive crowds.

Commitment to Return

From Spain, Edmundo González also celebrated Machado's return and announced his own plans to return: "I'll soon be with you and her so that our country truly moves towards freedom. You know this is until the end."

The possibility of Ferrer returning to Cuba has previously surfaced in his recent statements. Just three days earlier, in an interview with Tania Costa, he remarked, "If someone tells me I'm wasting my time, I'm going back to Cuba," explaining his willingness to return even by boat, despite the risk of imprisonment.

Ferrer left Cuba on October 13, 2025, arriving in Miami with his wife, Nelva Ismarays Ortega Tamayo, and three of their children, after being released from Mar Verde prison in Santiago de Cuba. He described his departure as forced exile due to regime pressure.

Since then, Ferrer has remained active internationally, supporting political prisoners and their families. In his first year outside the island, he visited 13 European capitals and engaged in efforts in Washington.

On October 20, he expressed certainty that the Cuban government would eventually fall, predicting that its leaders would have planes ready to flee.

In his Sunday post, Ferrer emphasized the importance of organization: building a functional unity, selecting leadership, and strengthening efforts within Cuba, using Machado's return as a model for action that he urges Cuban opposition to emulate.