José Daniel Ferrer: "Prison Could Be Imminent for Me"

José Daniel Ferrer (born in Palmarito, Santiago de Cuba, 1970) was released from prison just a week ago, on January 16, following a deal between the Vatican and the regime led by Miguel Díaz-Canel. This coincided with former U.S. President Joe Biden's decision to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, a move that his successor, Donald Trump, reversed on his first day in office. Since then, no other prisoner of conscience has been released from the Castro regime's clutches.

Understanding the precarious nature of his freedom, Ferrer acknowledges that his time outside prison bars might be short-lived. "Prison could be imminent for me," he shared in an interview with CiberCuba on Thursday. He reflected on his time behind bars, the isolation of solitary confinement, the books he read, the poetry he wrote, his interactions with guards and fellow inmates, and the moment he learned of his impending release.

Family Fears and Prison Memories

Ferrer expressed that the most agonizing aspect of his imprisonment was the fear that his two-year-old son would forget him, a concern he didn't have with his older children due to their age. When Ferrer was incarcerated in Mar Verde, his son with wife Dr. Nelva Ortega was just two years old. Now, at five, the child is terrified that someone might take his father away again. This fear, Ferrer says, is more painful than any physical assault.

The Reality of Prison Life

Inside the prison, Ferrer described enduring a "living hell." Although this stint lasted only three and a half years, he insists that a minute in jail feels like an eternity. Initially, he wasn't allowed to read, write, or watch TV. Thanks to international media pressure, he was eventually permitted to watch channels like Canal Caribe, Telesur, and Russia Today. Despite the biased nature of these broadcasts, he pieced together a semblance of current events.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was particularly distressing for him, as it occurred shortly after he regained limited access to television. Much of his time in prison was spent in silence, with the nearest inmate 20 meters away, and guards avoiding conversation for fear of being recorded by hidden devices. Ferrer checked his cell for surveillance equipment but found none, yet paranoia lingered among the prison staff.

Release and Immediate Challenges

Ferrer learned about his release through RT, which reported on negotiations to free 553 Cuban political prisoners. He had already heard whispers of his impending release and distributed his belongings among fellow inmates. Ready to leave, he was summoned to meet with several judges and prosecutors who warned him of the possibility of being re-incarcerated at any moment. Ferrer refused to negotiate, and when he attempted to return to his cell, he was unceremoniously pushed out of the prison without even his glasses, books on Economics and Medicine, or vitamins. His wife and son were waiting for him outside.

Now home, Ferrer receives abundant support and numerous visits. He used the CiberCuba interview to apologize to Mario Díaz-Balart for missing his call, and to send greetings to those he managed to speak with, including Republican Senator Rick Scott, former Florida governor, and Mike Hammer, head of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana. He also expressed gratitude to a Nordic leader who reached out after his release, although he missed a diplomatic call from the European Union.

A Different Cuba

Ferrer finds a changed Cuba upon his release. During a stroll through Santiago de Cuba's central streets, he noted the emptiness caused by mass emigration and the constant quest for food by Cuban families. He believes the regime might find it advantageous to release political prisoners, while keeping prisoners of conscience behind bars and freeing common criminals to "satisfy" the Vatican.

Regardless of what happens, Ferrer is ready to engage in political activities for Cuba's future, should the opportunity for free and democratic elections arise. He is also prepared to return to prison. Despite the calm demeanor he projects, he remains acutely aware that his freedom may be temporary. The political police keep a close watch on his home and have already warned visitors that frequent visits could lead to trouble.