SANTA CLARA, CUBA – The Cuban exile community continues to pay close attention to Guillermo Franias, who is on day 49 of a hunger strike.
The internationally-known Cuban dissident received the Zakharov Prize for Freedom in 2010 by the European Parliament.
"The government is apparently a tactic to actually assassinate, kill Guillermo Farinas," Ramon Saul Sanchez said.
Sanchez said the Cuban government does not allow Farinas to stay in the hospital as his health deteriorates.
In an exclusive interview with Local 10 News from his home in Santa Clara, Cuba, Farinas, 54, said he wants the Castro government to stop repressing dissidents and entrepreneurs.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said he spoke to Farinas a few days ago and stands with him.
Rubio also sent President Barack Obama a letter urging him to get involved in this case:
"I know you have met Mr. Farinas in the past. I would urge you to call him now and express your support for his courageous acts…hear firsthand his account of the deepening repression in Cuba…ask that you convey his demands to the Castro regime," Rubio’s letter read n part.
Farinas said the Cuban government is afraid of prosperity and the growing private sector.
Since 2008, the Cuban government has made reforms and allowed more private businesses, which evidence is evident of in Santa Clara.
But critics believe the process has been slow.
Farinas said two things can happen: either Castro accepts his demands or he dies and becomes a martyr.