Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom

José Daniel Ferrer García is an internationally recognized human rights defender, political prisoner, leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) and promoter of Cuba Decide. Ferrer participated, with the late Oswaldo Payá, in collecting signatures for the Varela Project and after serving 8 years of political prison, he founded the UNPACU, which has become a leading opposition movement in Cuba. This organization is direct in its dissent against the communist regime and advocates for a non-violent democratic transition through political activism, community-based projects, and dissemination of information. UNPACU has been a target of repression by the Cuban regime. Its members have been subjected to political imprisonment, multiple arrests, violent home raids, restriction of travel, and other forms of harassment. Ferrer has been imprisoned multiple times by the Cuban regime for his political activity. The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation awarded him the Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom in 2020.