Cuban dissident José Daniel Ferrer delivered a stern warning this Sunday to leader Miguel Díaz-Canel and the upper echelons of the regime, urging them to "act swiftly" and release all political prisoners before it's too late.
Through a post on his X account (formerly Twitter), Ferrer implored the regime to allow the populace to "take control of their future" and cautioned that if repression persists, the leaders of the Communist Party will bear responsibility for the outcomes.
Recently, Ferrer also circulated an open letter addressed to the leadership and troops of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) and the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), urging them to facilitate political change in the nation and cease acting as "instruments of repression."
In his message, the opposition leader highlighted that Cuba is experiencing "the worst crisis in seven decades," characterized by economic collapse, food and medicine shortages, an energy crisis, and mass exodus.
Call for a Democratic Transition
In this context, Ferrer urged the military to "become protagonists of a democratic transition" and support the holding of free elections, political pluralism, and the drafting of a new Constitution "with everyone and for the good of all."
"Converse quickly and be wise; strive to be honest, which is very difficult for you, I would say impossible. Move fast, free all political prisoners, and let the people take control of their destiny," insisted the leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), currently exiled in the United States.
Ferrer also warned that if oppression continues, "an enslaved people will wish for someone to rescue them," adding that "if the United States does, the vast majority of Cubans will be grateful."
The activist, who was released from prison in 2025 after nearly four years of incarceration, reminded the regime of the fates of dictators like Noriega, Gaddafi, Milosevic, Hussein, or Nicolás Maduro, asserting that the Castro regime could face a similar end if it doesn't change course.
Pressure Mounting on the Cuban Regime
"You are very abusive towards the unarmed people, but too cowardly to face the United States," Ferrer remarked in a tone unusually direct even for his typical style.
His message arrives just a day following U.S. President Donald Trump's recommendation that the Cuban regime "make a deal before it's too late," amid a complete cut-off of oil supplies from Venezuela.
Ferrer's statements bolster the political and moral pressure on the Havana regime at a time of increasing international isolation, economic collapse, and social deterioration within the country.
Key Questions About Cuba's Political Climate
What action does José Daniel Ferrer suggest to the Cuban regime?
Ferrer urges the regime to swiftly release all political prisoners and allow the Cuban people to control their own destiny.
Why is Ferrer calling for a political change in Cuba?
Ferrer emphasizes that Cuba is facing its worst crisis in seven decades, marked by economic collapse, shortages, and social unrest, necessitating a democratic transition.
How does Ferrer perceive the role of the Cuban military in this transition?
He encourages the military to take on a leading role in facilitating a democratic transition, supporting free elections, and political pluralism.