The mother of Cuban mixed martial arts fighter Javier Ernesto Martín Gutiérrez, famously known as "Spiderman," reported on Friday that her son was violently arrested in Marianao, Havana by plainclothes officers, and authorities are refusing to disclose his whereabouts.
The arrest took place near the Jesús Menéndez Sports Complex, where unidentified agents forced him into a vehicle without visible license plates. According to his family, he was severely beaten during the arrest.
Lourdes Gutiérrez, Spiderman's mother, visited a police station seeking answers and reported the incident to Martí Noticias directly from the location.
"They have refused to give me any information about my children. I asked to speak with the official in charge, but they ignored me," she stated, clearly distressed.
The authorities informed her that her son hadn't been through that station but refused to guide her on where he might be.
"They tell me my son hasn't been here, yet they won't provide any details on his location," she recounted.
Lourdes described the police's response as a deliberate wall of silence: "They say they don't have to know just because I demand it. They claim there's no reason to tell me where my son is."
Regarding the beating her son allegedly endured during the arrest, the mother was candid: "I only asked that they never lay a hand on him. And from what I understand, they gave him a severe beating."
Spiderman's Activism and Arrest
Spiderman, a champion of the Cuban Fighting League (CFL) in the 135-pound category, had been publicly protesting for at least six consecutive days from the balcony of his home on Havana's 31st Avenue, facing the El Lido terminal, since April 19.
During these demonstrations, the fighter highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Cuba, including women and children scavenging for food, and openly challenged State Security: "Come for me. Do your worst," he shouted from his balcony.
Despite visits from agents to his mother and an attempt by a counterintelligence psychologist to contact him during the protests, Spiderman had not been detained until the previous Wednesday, based on the latest reports before his arrest.
Widespread Support and Political Context
His case garnered significant attention and support from Cuban activists, including rapper El Funky and Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara from the San Isidro Movement.
The arrest occurs amid a backdrop of increasing repression: Cuba recorded 1,250 political prisoners by the end of March 2026, a record number since 2021, with 44 new political arrests in that month alone, according to the organization Prisoners Defenders.
"If my son was beaten, things will end badly," warned Lourdes Gutiérrez as she concluded her complaint outside the police station.
Key Questions about Spiderman's Arrest
Who is Javier "Spiderman" Martín?
Javier "Spiderman" Martín is a Cuban mixed martial arts fighter and champion in the Cuban Fighting League's 135-pound category.
What led to Spiderman's arrest?
Spiderman was arrested after publicly protesting from his balcony about the humanitarian crisis in Cuba, including the dire situation of women and children, and challenging the State Security forces.
What has been the response to his arrest?
His arrest has attracted significant attention from Cuban activists and has been condemned, highlighting the broader issue of political repression in Cuba.