Ariel Limias Leyva, a 53-year-old painter, is facing formal charges of "enemy propaganda against the constitutional order" after staging a protest on Friday at the steps of Havana's Capitol building with an anti-government banner.
His wife, Yulia Morales, confirmed to the media outlet 14ymedio that Limias Leyva remains detained and incommunicado at Villa Marista, the notorious headquarters of the State Security in Havana.
The protester ascended the iconic steps of the building, which houses the National Assembly of People's Power, with a sign that read "No more absurd political discrimination" and "Down with the dictatorship" on one side, and "Homeland and Life and Freedom" on the other.
Four officers apprehended him on-site and escorted him to a patrol car. Before being placed in the vehicle, he managed to shout "Down with the dictatorship!" to which someone in the crowd also responded, "Down!"
That evening, he was held at the Dragones police station, where he was questioned. Early Saturday morning, State Security agents transferred him to Villa Marista without allowing his wife to see him.
On Monday morning, Morales visited the detention center and returned with mixed news. "It's an anguish, a pain," she lamented. "Everything is the same, he's still incommunicado, but now we've been informed of the charges," she added, expressing outrage upon learning of the formal accusation: "The injustice knows no bounds."
The family is currently seeking legal representation. "We're looking for a good lawyer. We've received recommendations and are trying to make contact," Morales explained.
Limias Leyva's health is an additional concern: he suffered a heart attack in January of this year and requires cardiac care. However, his wife received reassuring news from the center: "The doctor told us he's stable, calm, his blood pressure is fine, and he's receiving his medication."
The charge against Limias is outlined in Article 124 of the Cuban Penal Code, effective since 2022, which redefined the previous "enemy propaganda" offense as "propaganda against the constitutional order."
The law mandates prison sentences ranging from three to eight years for anyone inciting against the social order or socialist state through any form of propaganda. If physical or digital media are used, the penalty increases to four to ten years.
Human rights organizations like Amnesty International have labeled this legal provision as a tool for repressing freedom of expression.
This is not the first time Limias has faced repercussions for protesting. In July 2021, shortly after the historic July 11 protests, he took to the streets with a sign that read "freedom," resulting in a 12-day detention. Limias and Morales, both painters, have been married for 28 years and sell their artworks at the San José Fair in Old Havana.
The protest also had a noticeable impact on the surroundings of the Capitol. Since the arrest and throughout the weekend, police presence on the sidewalks near the building has increased significantly.
"Last night, unusually, there were a lot of police patrolling this area, which is usually unprotected except for the Capitol perimeter," a local resident told 14ymedio on Monday, referring to Sunday. As of Tuesday, security has extended to a busy pedestrian area connecting Old Havana with Central Havana.
Limias's case fits a repressive pattern documented by numerous organizations. The human rights report for Cuba records over 10 daily violations during the first half of 2026, and estimates from May of this year place the number of political prisoners on the island at more than 1,281.
The charge of "propaganda against the constitutional order" was also recently applied to ten Panamanian citizens detained in Cuba last March.
Understanding the Charges and Legal Context in Cuba
What are the charges against Ariel Limias Leyva?
Ariel Limias Leyva is charged with "enemy propaganda against the constitutional order" for his protest at Havana's Capitol building.
What penalties does the Cuban Penal Code prescribe for "propaganda against the constitutional order"?
The Cuban Penal Code imposes prison sentences of three to eight years for inciting against the social order or socialist state through propaganda, increasing to four to ten years if media are used.
How has the international community responded to these charges?
Organizations like Amnesty International have criticized these charges as a means of suppressing freedom of expression in Cuba.