José Daniel Ferrer, a prominent Cuban opposition figure and coordinator of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), delivered a powerful message on Saturday to Cuba's leaders, Raúl Castro and Miguel Díaz-Canel, following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces.
In a statement shared on his X account (formerly known as Twitter), Ferrer declared that the arrest of Maduro and the fall of the Chavista regime signal "the end of Havana's allies" in the region.
"This marks the end for your allies: Nicolás Maduro, Diosdado Cabello, Vladimir Padrino, and other leaders of that criminal tyranny," he wrote.
Ferrer emphasized that Cuba serves as the "central hub" of communism in Latin America and warned the Cuban leaders that "your time is running out."
In a bold tone, Ferrer advised, "They'll come for you too. Fly quickly to Moscow. Soon it might be too late. Let the Cuban people take control of their destiny. To the plane!" This was a clear reference to a potential international intervention or the impending collapse of the Cuban regime.
The activist's message, who has been imprisoned multiple times by the Cuban government, sparked significant reactions on social media and among the exiled community in Miami. Many opposition leaders there agree that Maduro's downfall represents a historic blow to the Castro regime.
Ferrer, known as one of the most resolute voices within Cuban dissent, has long claimed that Havana holds the reins of power in Venezuela and that the survival of both regimes relies on their political, military, and economic cooperation.
With the collapse of Chavismo, the Cuban opposition envisions a regional domino effect that could dismantle the Cuba-Venezuela-Nicaragua axis, a symbol of 21st-century continental authoritarianism.
Impact of Regional Political Changes on Cuba
What did José Daniel Ferrer warn Cuban leaders about?
Ferrer warned Cuban leaders Raúl Castro and Miguel Díaz-Canel that their time is limited and that they could be next after the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
How did Ferrer's message affect the Cuban community in exile?
Ferrer’s message resonated strongly on social media and among the exiled community in Miami, with many seeing Maduro's capture as a major setback for the Castro regime.
What is the potential impact of Chavismo's collapse on Cuba?
The fall of Chavismo could trigger a regional domino effect, potentially dismantling the authoritarian alliance between Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.