English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
14ymedio, Havana, 24 December 2019 — José Daniel Ferrer, the current leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (Unpacu), born in Palma Soriano in 1970, was one of the 75 prisoners of the Black Spring. Sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2003 for his prominent participation in Oswaldo Payá’s Varela Project, he left prison … Continue reading “14ymedio’s 14 Faces of 2019: Jose Daniel Ferrer, Leader of Unpacu”
14ymedio, Havana, 13 August 2018 – Activist Ebert Hidalgo Cruz has been released without any charges, according to a video released Sunday by the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) shortly after the dissident was released from prison. Hidalgo was imprisoned on August 3 together with the leader of the organization, José Daniel Ferrer, who is … Continue reading “UNPACU Activist Pressured by Police to Accuse Jose Daniel Ferrer”
14medio, Havana, 17 December 2015 – Early this morning State Security arrested Jose Daniel Ferrer at the national headquarters of the Cuban Patriotic Union (UNPACU), in Havana, according to sources of the opposition organization. Several UNPACU activists denounced through the social networks that the assault was carried out violently early in the morning after military … Continue reading “Jose Daniel Ferrer Arrested at UNPACU Headquarters in Havana / 14ymedio”
Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, general coordinator of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), reporting Santiago de Cuba: Ongoing detentions of UNPACU activists picked up on Turquino (the highest peak in Cuba, in the Sierra Maestra mountains), including Ovidio Martin Castellanos, coordinator of the largest arm of UNPACU, the Wilmar Villar group. Sanctuary of El Cobre: … Continue reading “Arrest Reports from Cuba from UNPACU General Coordinator Jose D. Ferrer / Jose Daniel Ferrer”
The Cuban opposition leader analyzes the challenges of a democratic transition, the role of the opposition, and the need to prevent Castroism from being recycled. 14ymedio, Yunior García Aguilera, Madrid, May 20, 2026 / For years, the Cuban regime’s propaganda machine has attempted to sow prejudice against opponents, activists, and critical voices. Few have been … Continue reading “José Daniel Ferrer: ‘We Are Not Going To Build a Free Cuba on the Basis of Revenge’”
Manuel Cuesta Morúa assumes the presidency while Ferrer focuses on reorganizing the opposition from exile. 14ymedio/EFE, Havana, 22 December 2025 — The Council for Democratic Transition in Cuba (CTDC), one of the main platforms for articulating the Cuban opposition, announced this Monday the election of a new Executive for the period 2026-2028, in an internal … Continue reading “Cuba’s Council for the Transition Chooses a New Leadership After the Departure of José Daniel Ferrer”
The Secretary of State reiterated his commitment to “the pursuit of democracy, prosperity and fundamental freedoms” on the Island 14ymedio, Havana, November 5, 2025 — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Wednesday in Washington with Cuban opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer, who arrived in exile on October 13 after being forced to leave the island. … Continue reading “Marco Rubio Meets in Washington With Cuban Opposition Leader José Daniel Ferrer”
“My commitment to freedom and democracy will always be unwavering.” 14ymedio, Madrid, October 29, 2025 — Cuban opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer, currently in exile in Miami, has been awarded the 2025 Carlos Alberto Montaner Prize, granted by the InterAmerican Institute for Democracy (IID) to individuals who stand out for their defense of freedom, democracy … Continue reading “José Daniel Ferrer, Exiled in Miami, Is Awarded the 2025 Carlos Alberto Montaner Prize”
The opponent insists that “the peaceful way remains the most valid action”, but quotes Saint Augustine: “When the enemy tries to slaughter you you have the right to self-defense” 14ymedio, Miami/Madrid, October 13, 2025 — With “mixed feelings,” joy at being able to arrive in the United States with his family and grief for the … Continue reading ““We’re Going To Take Them Down, These Are the Last Days of the Tyranny,” Says Ferrer on His Arrival in Miami”
“The departure, bound for the United States, follows a formal request from that country’s government and the express acceptance of Ferrer García,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. 14ymedio, Madrid, October 13, 2025 — The opposition leader of the Cuban Patriotic Union (UNPACU), José Daniel Ferrer, arrived in the United States on Monday after … Continue reading “Cuban Opponent José Daniel Ferrer Will Land in Miami This Monday in Forced Exile”
The US accuses the Cuban regime of torturing him: “They beat him and subject him to unbearable conditions for demanding basic rights” 14ymedio, Madrid, October 7, 2025 — The uncertainty about the immediate future of the leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba, José Daniel Ferrer, is extreme since the possibility came to light on … Continue reading “New Obstacles for José Ferrer in the Procedures for Going Into Exile”
The leader of UNPACU also points out his “frustration at the disunity, sectarianism and lack of effectiveness of the opposition inside and outside Cuba” 14ymedio, Madrid, October 3, 2025 –The opponent José Daniel Ferrer, leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), accepts his exile from Cuba. He has expressed this in a handwritten letter … Continue reading ““Beatings, Torture, Humiliation and Death Threats” Lead José Daniel Ferrer To Accept Exile from Cuba”
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara’s health has deteriorated significantly in Guanajay prison. 14ymedio, Havana, 9 September 2025 — Political prisoner José Daniel Ferrer remains “under threat of death” in Mar Verde prison in Santiago de Cuba, where he is being held. This Monday, Ana Belkis Ferrer, the activist’s sister, denounced on Facebook that the leader of … Continue reading “Cuban Opponent José Daniel Ferrer Remains “Under Threat of Death” in Prison”
Since his return to prison last April, the opponent has suffered brutal ill-treatment and beatings, as reported by his family. 14ymedio, Havana, July 12, 2025 — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio asked the Cuban regime on Friday for proof of life for opponent José Daniel Ferrer. The leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba … Continue reading “Washington Denounces the Torture of José Daniel Ferrer and Requests Proof of Life From the Cuban Regime”
The Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba denounces their direct involvement in acts of torture against the opposition. 14ymedio, Havana, July 10, 2025 — The Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba has included five prison officials from Mar Verde, Santiago de Cuba, in its database of Cuban Repressors for their direct participation in acts of … Continue reading “Five Officers Identified for Beating José Daniel Ferrer Are Included on the List of Cuban Repressors”