In brief
José Daniel Ferrer, a well-known critic of Cuba's Communist regime, recently arrived in Miami following his release from prison. Upon his arrival, he urgently called for the liberation of hundreds of political prisoners. Ferrer had previously advocated for democracy in Cuba but decided to go into exile due to threats against his family. His departure has been labelled as 'forced exile' by fellow dissidents, and U.S. officials have emphasized the need to hold the Cuban government accountable for its oppressive actions.
Prominent Cuban dissident José Daniel Ferrer has arrived in Miami after being freed from a Cuban prison.
Shortly after landing in the United States, the pro-democracy activist called for the release of hundreds of political prisoners held in Cuba.
Earlier this month, the 55-year-old revealed that he had taken the 'difficult decision' to go into exile after being told his wife could also be jailed and their son sent to an institution for juvenile offenders.
In a statement, the Cuban foreign ministry indicated that Mr. Ferrer and his family had left the country following 'a formal request' from the US government and insisted that Mr. Ferrer had given his 'explicit acceptance'.
As co-ordinator of the Patriotic Union of Cuba - an umbrella group of dissident organisations - Mr. Ferrer has been one of the most vocal critics of Cuba's Communist government, which bans political opposition.
Like many Cuban dissidents, Mr. Ferrer has been in and out of prison.
He briefly regained freedom in January following a deal negotiated by the Vatican, in which the US lifted Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism; however, he was re-arrested after publicly opposing the regime.
Describing his recent imprisonment, Mr. Ferrer claimed that 'the cruelty of the dictatorship towards me has known no bounds' and accused prison officials of subjecting him to humiliation and torture.
Fellow dissidents have branded his departure from Cuba a 'forced exile'.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that Ferrer's leadership posed a threat to the regime, which has repeatedly imprisoned and tortured him. Rubio applauded Ferrer's newfound freedom and urged the international community to hold the Cuban regime accountable for its abuses and demand the release of over 700 political prisoners.
