Press Releases

Sen. Rick Scott Urges President Biden to Demand Cuban Regime Shows Proof of Life of José Daniel Ferrer

June 21, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott released the following statement after being notified by family members of José Daniel Ferrer, a Cuban democracy and human rights activist, that they have not seen or heard from him since March 2023. Since his arrest during the July 11, 2021 freedom demonstrations, José Daniel Ferrer has been psychologically and physically tortured by the illegitimate communist Cuban regime in a ruthless attempt to end his life. Senator Scott has been a vocal advocate for the release of José Daniel Ferrer and all democracy activists, especially the children, being unjustly imprisoned by the Castro/Diaz-Canel regime. His calls for action have resulted in both the Organization of American States (OAS) and President Joe Biden to call for the release of all Cuban political prisoners.

 

Senator Rick Scott said, “It’s absolutely despicable and unacceptable that the illegitimate Cuban regime has prevented José Daniel Ferrer’s family from seeing him for months on end. José Daniel is being unjustly detained in isolation, where he is subjected to physical and psychological torture by the brutal communist Cuban regime in an attempt to end his life. It’s time for the mainstream media to wake up to President Biden’s complete abandonment of Latin America that is allowing this torture and attempted murder to happen. Biden’s lack of leadership in the region undermines both our national security and human rights across Latin America. That must end today.

 

“I am demanding that President Biden join me and the countless Cuban democracy activists in demanding immediate proof of life of José Daniel Ferrer. President Biden must use this moment to end his appeasement of the brutal and illegitimate Castro/Diaz-Canel regime and make clear to the world that the United States will never ignore these horrific human rights abuses.”

 

Since the July 11 demonstrations began, Senator Rick Scott has released the following statements condemning the Castro/Díaz-Canel regime’s brutal oppression of the Cuban people and demanding the Biden administration take action:

 

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