Members of the Florida congressional delegation are lining up behind a resolution calling for the release of Jose Daniel Ferrer, who is pushing for more democracy in Cuba, and other political prisoners held by the communist regime of that island nation.
Last week, U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., introduced the resolution “demanding the immediate release of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) leader Jose Daniel Ferrer and all other political prisoners in Cuba” and the congressman’s office noted “Ferrer was imprisoned during the notorious ‘Black Spring’ of 2003 and courageously has continued to advocate for human rights and freedom for the Cuban people.”
Diaz-Balart has reeled in the support of U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney, R-Fla. Other supporters of the resolution include U.S. Rep. Albio Sires, D-NJ, U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Tex., and U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-NJ.
“I am profoundly concerned for the welfare of Ferrer, who languishes in prison in abhorrent conditions,” Diaz-Balart said when he brought out the resolution. “His wife asserts that he has suffered abuse, torture, and denial of essential medical care. The regime in Cuba has the blood of innocents on its hands, and those who commit these egregious abuses must be held accountable for their crimes. I thank my colleagues for joining me in introducing this important resolution to demand the immediate, unconditional release of Cuban hero Jose Daniel Ferrer.”
The resolution was sent to the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee last week. So far, there is no counterpart over in the U.S. Senate.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
