Cuban dissident begins US exile after release from jail

October 14, 2025

José Daniel Ferrer, a prominent Cuban pro-democracy activist and coordinator of the Patriotic Union of Cuba, has arrived in Miami after being released from Cuban prison and forced into exile. Ferrer made the difficult decision to leave Cuba after authorities threatened to imprison his wife and institutionalize his son. Upon arriving in the United States, Ferrer immediately called for the release of hundreds of political prisoners still detained in Cuba, while describing the "cruelty" and torture he endured during his imprisonment.

Who is affected

José Daniel Ferrer and his family
Hundreds of political prisoners (reportedly more than 700) still detained in Cuba
The Patriotic Union of Cuba (dissident umbrella organization)
Cuban dissidents who oppose the Communist government

What action is being taken

The US government formally requested Ferrer's release from Cuba
Ferrer is publicly advocating for the release of other political prisoners after arriving in Miami
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is calling on the international community to hold the Cuban regime accountable for human rights abuses
The Cuban government is maintaining its position against political opposition

Why it matters

Ferrer has been one of the most outspoken critics of Cuba's Communist government
His case highlights Cuba's ongoing repression of political opposition
The situation reveals the conditions faced by political prisoners in Cuba, including allegations of torture and humiliation
Ferrer's departure represents what fellow dissidents describe as a "forced exile," illustrating the pressure tactics used against opposition figures

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC