Javier Ernesto Martín Gutiérrez, an activist and mixed martial arts champion known as "Spider-Man," met with his attorney for the first time on Monday at the Villa Marista Detention Center, the headquarters of State Security in Havana. This marked his initial formal statement to authorities since his arrest four days earlier.
His partner, Lisandra Cuza, accompanied the lawyer to Villa Marista but was not allowed to see or speak with Martín Gutiérrez. "The lawyer went in to talk to Javi, and I waited outside. They didn't let me see him or talk to him. Javier hadn't said anything before; he wanted to make his statement with his attorney present. Now we have to wait for the process to unfold," Cuza told Martí Noticias.
The lawyer informed Cuza that the investigation focuses on protest videos uploaded to Facebook, particularly one where Martín Gutiérrez mentions Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel. "In one of the videos, he talked about the country's president. They perceive it not as a threat but as an attack on State Security," she noted.
The 34-year-old athlete was apprehended last Friday on 90th Street between 41st and 43rd in Marianao by plainclothes officers. They assaulted him and transported him in an unmarked vehicle directly to Villa Marista, suggesting the regime is treating the case as a political issue.
Protests on the Balcony: A Cry Against Crisis
Martín Gutiérrez had been protesting from his balcony on 31st Avenue for over eight days, highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Cuba: "Women scavenging through trash and children eating from dumps, while others have everything. There's no equality, not even in poverty."
Authorities have also sought to frame his mental health as questionable. Official media insinuated that Martín Gutiérrez might have undiagnosed psychiatric disorders and that he is under "clinical evaluation" at Villa Marista. Cuza stated that agents questioned her about his mental state: "If he had any mental issues, if he was on medication, if he was alright, and I told them yes, he is perfectly fine, he has no issues, he's in excellent health."
This tactic follows a historical pattern of pathologizing dissent in Cuba. In 2017, dissident Daniel Llorente was held for almost a year in Mazorra Psychiatric Hospital after protesting with an American flag in Havana's Revolution Square, despite medical reports indicating no mental illness.
Official Narrative vs. Reality
The pro-government site Razones de Cuba labeled the protest as a "media show" and claimed it disturbed neighbors. However, the detainee's mother, Lourdes Gutiérrez, refuted this: "Many only found out once things started appearing on social media."
Testimonies gathered by Martí Noticias also indicate that during the protest days, the area received uninterrupted electricity supply, unlike the usual two-hour daily ration, which garnered local approval.
The investigation into the videos mentioning Díaz-Canel could lead to charges similar to those faced by musician Maykel Castillo Pérez "El Osorbo," who is serving a nine-year sentence for "defamation of institutions and organizations, heroes, and martyrs," a legal provision that shields the image of the state and its leaders.
Authorities also questioned Cuza about who recorded the videos and whether the interviews took place at her home or the athlete's mother's residence. Independent lawyers are currently drafting a habeas corpus petition for Martín Gutiérrez, while the regime has not specified how long he will remain at Villa Marista.
Key Questions About Spider-Man's Detention
Why was Spider-Man detained in Cuba?
Javier Ernesto Martín Gutiérrez, known as Spider-Man, was detained due to his protest activities and videos criticizing the Cuban regime, particularly mentioning Miguel Díaz-Canel, which the authorities viewed as an attack on State Security.
What is the significance of Villa Marista in Cuba?
Villa Marista is the headquarters of State Security in Havana, known for detaining political dissidents and activists. It is often associated with political cases and investigations by the Cuban regime.
What legal actions are being taken for Spider-Man's release?
Independent lawyers are preparing a habeas corpus petition to advocate for the release of Javier Ernesto Martín Gutiérrez, as the Cuban regime has not clarified the duration of his detention.