Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a conversation with Cuban activist José Daniel Ferrer after Ferrer's arrival in the United States from Cuba, according to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott. During the discussion, Secretary Rubio commended Ferrer for his "courage and resilience in the face of the Cuban regime’s oppression, threats to his life, and brutal treatment of him and his family."
The two also addressed recent challenges faced by eastern Cuba following Hurricane Melissa. Ferrer highlighted the need for U.S. humanitarian aid to reach Cubans directly through partnerships with organizations such as the Catholic Church rather than through official government channels.
Secretary Rubio reiterated ongoing U.S. support for democracy and human rights in Cuba. He stated that "advocacy by José Daniel Ferrer and other political dissidents like him remains critical to the island’s pro-democracy movement" and committed to supporting efforts aimed at holding the Cuban government accountable for human rights violations.