New details have emerged regarding the attack carried out against the headquarters of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) in Santiago de Cuba, amidst a new wave of repression against activists opposing the Cuban regime.
In statements made to Martí Noticias, the brother of opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer, Luis Enrique Ferrer García, denounced that "the dictatorship stormed the house as if capturing an international terrorist", using combined forces from the political police, the National Revolutionary Police (PNR), and other repressive bodies.
According to his testimony, all the activists present at the headquarters were arrested, and the authorities confiscated food and other resources intended to help hundreds of people in need in the city.
The relative of Ferrer explained that the offensive against the opposition leader did not begin with the assault, but rather since he was released from prison. Since then, he stated, the government has launched a discrediting campaign through agents on social media, YouTube, and official media such as the newspaper Granma, the mouthpiece of the Communist Party. This campaign, based on "lies and visceral hatred," sought first to discredit José Daniel Ferrer in order to justify repressive actions.
The assault on the UNPACU headquarters was preceded by arrests, threats, and detentions of individuals trying to get close to the site. Ultimately, the regime's forces carried out the violent assault in which they captured Ferrer, a leader recognized for his peaceful struggle for the freedom of Cuba and his humanitarian work feeding people in critical situations with the support of family, friends, and members of the exile community.
In Santiago de Cuba, it is rumored that the authorities might revoke Ferrer's sanction and transfer him back to prison. The opposition figure, who has accumulated over 12 years of political imprisonment through three lengthy sentences and multiple detentions, has been a documented victim of physical and psychological torture, as well as prolonged periods of isolation.
The UNPACU headquarters not only served as a center for opposition activities but also as a distribution point for food and humanitarian aid for families in need in Santiago de Cuba, amid a severe social and food crisis. "José Daniel was feeding hundreds of people who are literally dying of hunger, and whom the dictatorship completely ignores", he emphasized.
Human rights organizations and opposition members have called for solidarity with José Daniel Ferrer and all the detainees, demanding their immediate release and reiterating the call for freedom for all political prisoners and for the Cuban people.
Revocation of parole
The Cuban regime officially revoked the parole of José Daniel Ferrer, granted just three months ago as part of a negotiated agreement between the Vatican and the United States.
According to the Vice President of the Supreme People's Court, Maricela Sosa, Ferrer is alleged to have violated the conditions of his release by failing to attend two mandatory court hearings.
The arrest took place during the assault on the UNPACU headquarters in the Altamira neighborhood. In addition to Ferrer, his wife, Nelva Ismaray Ortega Tamayo, their minor son Daniel José, and the activists Roilán Zárraga Ferrer and Fernando González Vaillant were also arrested, all taken to an unknown location.
Her sister, Ana Belkis Ferrer, reported the complete looting of the home and issued an urgent call for international solidarity. "Miserable and cowardly criminal tyrants! We demand your immediate release and that of all political detainees and prisoners", she wrote on her brother's X account (formerly Twitter), under the hashtag #SOSCuba.
Repression and Humanitarian Work
After his temporary release, José Daniel Ferrer intensified his humanitarian work, distributing food and medication to hundreds of people in extreme vulnerability in Santiago de Cuba.
That social activity, which enjoyed broad popular support, became a new reason for repression by the regime, which monitored, harassed, and ultimately dismantled the aid operations.
Ferrer’s prestige as an opposition leader and his humanitarian work have alerted the repressive system, which is now seeking, according to local reports, to imprison him again under conditions similar to those he endured in the past: extreme isolation, physical and psychological torture.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Assault on the UNPACU Headquarters and Repression in Cuba
What happened during the assault on the UNPACU headquarters in Santiago de Cuba?
The assault on the headquarters of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) in Santiago de Cuba was a violent operation carried out by combined forces of the political police, the National Revolutionary Police (PNR), and other repressive bodies of the Cuban regime. During the assault, all present activists were arrested, and food and resources intended for those in need were confiscated.
Why was José Daniel Ferrer arrested again?
José Daniel Ferrer was arrested again following the revocation of his parole, which had been granted as part of an agreement between the Vatican and the United States. According to the regime, Ferrer violated the conditions of his release by failing to attend two mandatory court hearings, even though he had already served his full sentence.
What humanitarian work was José Daniel Ferrer and UNPACU doing?
José Daniel Ferrer and the UNPACU were dedicated to distributing food and medicine to people in extreme vulnerability in Santiago de Cuba. This humanitarian effort, carried out with the support of Cuban exiles, included assistance to hundreds of elderly individuals, single mothers, and sick people who were not receiving help from the Cuban regime.
How has the international community reacted to the repression in Cuba?
The international community has responded with calls for solidarity and diplomatic pressure. Human rights organizations and democratic governments have demanded the release of José Daniel Ferrer and other political prisoners, and have condemned the repressive tactics of the Cuban regime. The government of the United States, for instance, has expressed its disapproval of the police harassment against Ferrer and UNPACU.
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