A caption in the video speaks volumes: “Today we fed 1,023 people in Zamorana, Santiago de Cuba.” This image is part of the Save Cuba campaign led by José Daniel Ferrer, released this Friday, where seniors and vulnerable individuals receive meals, vitamins, and medications despite constant threats from the political police toward the organizers.
The distribution point is managed by Maikel Mediaceja Ramos, an activist from the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) and a former political prisoner who served eight years and seven months before being released in April 2026. From his home on B Street, between Madre Vieja and Zamorana, Mediaceja, along with his family, neighbors, and volunteers, works tirelessly for ten-hour shifts, Monday through Friday, to prepare and serve meals to the hundreds who gather at his doorstep.
The words of those receiving the aid paint a stark picture of a reality the regime wishes to hide.
“We are going through a hunger in this city that we should not be experiencing at this stage,” one recipient says on camera.
Another woman, upon receiving her meal, admits, “I have nothing at home for tonight. Thank you very much.”
An elderly woman goes further, telling the organizers, “Count on me for whatever you need.”
Enduring Challenges and Local Support
This project operates under constant duress. According to Ferrer in the video, “the political police threaten us daily,” yet neighbors have vowed to protect the initiative “because their health and even their lives depend on this crucial project.” In mid-October, agents arrived at Mediaceja’s home before dawn intending to arrest him. Yet, the solidarity of the neighbors thwarted the arrest, and the activist managed to escape across rooftops, telling the agents, “I am not doing anything wrong. I’m feeding those who are hungry.”
The authorities threatened to halt the distribution, citing a lack of “legal authorization” to give out food. That day, nearly 300 people came to the site.
In addition to meals, the Zamorana team distributed vitamins, pain relievers, and other medications on Friday amidst the island's severe health crisis. The project is funded by Cubans living in the United States, although costs remain high: “It has cost me a lot of money because all the meat, pasta, charcoal, and wood are paid out of pocket,” Ferrer explains.
The Stark Reality of Hunger in Cuba
The backdrop is a food crisis acknowledged by local authorities: government figures show over 10% of Santiago de Cuba’s population is classified as vulnerable, equating to 101,359 people. Nationally, this figure exceeded 883,000 by October 2026. According to the Food Monitor Program, 33.9% of Cuban households reported at least one person going to bed hungry in September 2026, with 55.6% of those over 60 stating they had completely lost access to food.
Last week, elderly residents of Zamorana publicly expressed their gratitude toward the opposition's aid in another video released by Ferrer, with sentiments like “Thanks to you” and “You are warriors.”
Ferrer’s Ongoing Commitment from Exile
Ferrer, who endured over 12 years in Cuban prisons before being exiled to Miami in October 2025, coordinates these networks from abroad. Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla labeled him a “convicted felon” and “criminal” on October 21, shortly after Ferrer reported torture and inhumane prison conditions at a UN forum chaired by U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz.
In light of these accusations, Ferrer stated that if anyone could prove his efforts were in vain, he would return to Cuba “knowing it might lead to my end in the regime’s prisons.”
FAQs about the Opposition Project in Santiago de Cuba
What is the Save Cuba campaign?
The Save Cuba campaign is an initiative led by José Daniel Ferrer to provide meals, vitamins, and medications to vulnerable individuals in Santiago de Cuba, despite threats from the political police.
Who is Maikel Mediaceja Ramos?
Maikel Mediaceja Ramos is an activist with the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) who manages the distribution of meals in Santiago de Cuba. He is a former political prisoner who served over eight years in prison.
How does the project sustain itself financially?
The project is financially supported by Cubans residing in the United States, covering the costs of food and supplies necessary for the distribution of meals.