Ferrer calls for creating a census and holding elections to unify the Cuban opposition

MADRID, Spain.- Cuban opposition figure José Daniel Ferrer called this Monday for the creation of a census of citizens who support the democratization of the country and the holding of internal elections to form a common leadership that coordinates the fight against the Cuban regime. In a message posted on Facebook, He warned that “it is urgent to carry out a census process of Cuban supporters of democratization” and that said registration “can and should be done urgently.”

Ferrer related his proposal to the Venezuelan situation and stated that Nicolás Maduro’s regime “is about to fall.” He attributed this scenario to the cohesion of the opposition in that country, noting that “the main point […] It was, without a doubt, the unity of the Venezuelan democrats around María Corina Machado, which produced the resounding electoral victory of Edmundo González.” In his opinion, “the freedom of Venezuela will soon be a fact.”

In contrast, he warned about the situation on the island, where he assured that “elders, children and many other compatriots are dying” and that “oppression and misery are escalating to alarming levels.” He also blamed the “Castro and Díaz-Canel regime” for insisting on “continuing to prolong the suffering of our people.”

The leader of UNPACU criticized that a part of the opposition only agrees to participate if they lead the processes, stating that there are those who “do not show the slightest sign of being willing to participate in a solid and well-coordinated structure, if they are not the leaders.” As an alternative, he insisted that after the census democratic elections must be held to elect “the Leadership of that United Force of Opposition to the criminal tyranny that has kidnapped our homeland.”

As detailed, this structure must have strong leadership and differentiated functions. Among the positions, he mentioned a “president or a general coordinator”, a “coordinator of non-violent actions within Cuba”, a “representative of international relations”, a “treasurer”, as well as coordinators for humanitarian actions and care for political prisoners and their families. He noted that specific job titles “would not be an obstacle.”

The opponent defended the need for an organization with bases and regulations inspired by José Martí’s Cuban Revolutionary Party, recalling Martí’s phrase “The Homeland is a plow, not a pedestal.” In his appeal, he asked to leave sectarianism and “armchair opposition” behind.

Ferrer closed his message with a call for immediate action: “Let’s meet, let’s call, let’s talk, let’s agree, but now. Then it may be too late.”

Ferrer strengthens his political agenda from exile

José Daniel Ferrer, founder of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (Unpacu) and former political prisoner, arrived in the United States in October as an exile with his family. Since then he has remained active in his efforts in favor of the freedom of Cuba. This same month held a meeting with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with whom he spoke about the serious humanitarian situation in the east of the country after the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which deepened the conditions of poverty and scarcity in the region.

In November, in a space coordinated by CubaNet, He also spoke with Orlando Gutiérrez-Boronat, secretary general of the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance (ARC) and one of the most visible opposition figures outside the Island. Both exchanged visions, proposals and experiences about unity, justice, democratic transition and the civic strategies necessary to advance towards a different country.

The Assembly of the Cuban Resistance, supported by various opposition organizations, recently presented a National Salvation Plan which proposes, among other points, an institutional roadmap towards an eventual Transitional Government. The initiative, aligned with the call made this Monday by Ferrer, seeks to establish the foundations of a democratic system after more than six decades of authoritarianism in Cuba.