Jose Daniel Ferrer, one of Cuba’s most prominent political prisoners and leader of Patriotic Union of Cuba, was released Thursday from prison after 3½ years.
“I am fine, surrounded by family and friends,” he told The Associated Press by phone. Ferrer, 54, is the director of the Patriotic Union of Cuba. “I am going to continue the nonviolent struggle for freedom and democracy.”
Ferrer’s release was secured by a deal between Cuba, the Vatican and the Biden administration.
On Tuesday, the White House announced it would lift the U.S. designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism. The move was designed to expedite a Vatican-brokered deal to release Cuban political prisoners.
Havana told Pope Francis it would gradually free 553 convicts. It added that the gesture was unrelated to the U.S. announcement.
The releases began on Wednesday, and so far more than 30 people have been freed, according to Cuban civilian groups.
The lifting of Cuba’s terrorism designation could be reversed by the incoming Trump administration. Senator Marco Rubio, Trump’s choice to lead the U.S. State Department, is an advocate of sanctions on Cuba. Rubio’s family is Cuban, but they left the country before the communist revolution.
Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
