Ferrer Challenges Díaz-Canel: "Stop Trying to Intimidate; It's You Who Are Truly Frightened"

José Daniel Ferrer García, leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), issued a direct challenge to Miguel Díaz-Canel on Tuesday from the Netherlands. Ferrer responded to Díaz-Canel's warning of a potential "bloodbath" if the United States were to launch a military operation against Cuba. Turning the metaphor on its head, Ferrer declared, "Stop trying to intimidate," asserting that it is actually the regime that is frightened and confused.

The brief video, lasting one minute and 41 seconds, was shared on Facebook as part of Ferrer's European tour promoting the "Cuba Liberation Agreement."

Escalating Tensions Between Washington and Havana

On Monday, Díaz-Canel had taken to X to warn that a military attack from Washington would "result in a bloodbath with incalculable consequences," labeling the threats as "an international crime." Ferrer dismissed this warning outright, stating, "Absolutely no one can believe that."

Reimagining the "bloodbath" metaphor, Ferrer spoke with deliberate forcefulness: "It will be a flood of waste from the tyranny, from all those well-fed officials whose bellies are constantly full while the people suffer in dire poverty and extreme hunger."

Vision of a New Dawn for Cuba

Ferrer painted a contrasting picture of hope, stating, "The other stream that will flow will be one of joy and happiness, and it will belong to the people when they realize it's over. The tyranny that has committed so many crimes and injustices, causing so much pain and suffering to the Cuban people, will be finished."

These comments come amid unprecedented tensions between Washington and Havana, sparked by an Axios report citing classified intelligence. The report suggested that since 2023, Cuba had acquired over 300 military drones from Russia and Iran, with discussions on possibly targeting the Guantanamo Naval Base, military vessels, and potentially Key West, Florida.

Potential Military Action and Historical Parallels

The regime has not denied these acquisitions, with Deputy Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío citing the principle of legitimate defense. On Tuesday, Politico reported that the Pentagon and the White House are considering military options ranging from targeted airstrikes to a ground invasion, though no decision has been reached.

Ferrer has been actively advocating for U.S. military intervention for weeks. On Monday, he warned that if the regime is not removed, its allies would arm it "to the teeth," posing an even greater threat to the United States. He likened the regime's strategy to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

Previously, Ferrer stated in an interview that military action "will happen" as he doubts the dictatorship's leadership will voluntarily relinquish power, claiming that at least 80% of Cubans want the regime to fall.

Ferrer's European tour began on May 2 in Madrid and included a visit to the European Parliament in Brussels on May 5, where he decried "the worst crisis in Cuba's modern history" and called for Magnitsky sanctions. Now in the Netherlands, he is promoting the "Cuba Liberation Agreement," signed on March 2 in Miami by over 30 exile organizations.

Ferrer was exiled from Cuba in October 2025 following a hunger strike in Mar Verde prison. Amnesty International declared him a prisoner of conscience.

Concluding his video message on Tuesday, Ferrer addressed the regime's leadership directly: "Stop trying to confuse and intimidate others; it's you who are truly frightened and seemingly confused, unsure of what awaits you, or pretending not to know."