The Cuban regime bars siblings Omara and Ariel Ruiz Urquiola from returning to their homeland due to their activism and protests against the dictatorship. Meanwhile, the government exploits their forced absence to confiscate the farm and animals that Cuban biologist Ariel Ruiz Urquiola held in usufruct in Viñales, Pinar del Río. The scientist’s mother, who must live outside the island, pleads for her son's return to manage the usufruct contract he had with the state. However, instead of addressing her request, a Ministry of Agriculture official, Carlos Fleitas—claiming to be a specialist in Genetics and Livestock Registration—explains on camera to the Ruiz Urquiola's mother, Isabel Gliselia Urquiola Cruz, aged 79, the rationale behind the provincial authorities' decision to seize the livestock on such a significant day as Farmer’s Day.
Fleitas, accompanied by hunters Manuel Álvarez and José Miguel Martínez, and purchaser Pedro Arteaga, visited the Ruiz Urquiola's farm, El Infierno, on May 17, 2025. The four Ministry of Agriculture officials stated they were acting "in compliance with the resolution to terminate the usufruct of comrade Ariel Ruiz Urquiola." The termination of the usufruct contract strips Ariel Ruiz Urquiola of his land rights, rendering him unable to own livestock, which allows the state to forcibly expropriate it. Fleitas rationalizes the action by explaining they had granted a period for the activists' mother to sell the livestock. After the deadline passed without a sale—impossible for Ariel Ruiz Urquiola, who the regime prevents from entering Cuba—"the state proceeds to a purchase," Fleitas states. Although Ariel Ruiz Urquiola isn't present, an agreement within the commission, designated as number 4 of 2025, transfers the animals to the Agroindustrial company, El Rosario, in Viñales.
Resistance and Injustice: A Mother's Battle
Despite talking about a "purchase," the geneticist official claims that animals from El Infierno are being taken "in deposit." Faced with an irreversible administrative decision without the possibility of legal challenge—something normal and lawful in a democracy—the Ruiz Urquiola's mother requested to donate the animals to local farmers willing to care for them, but Ministry of Agriculture officials refused.
Omara Ruiz Urquiola argues that the state's forced purchase is illegal, asserting that only the livestock owners—Ariel Ruiz Urquiola and herself, who holds the power to make decisions regarding the farm and animals—can sell them. Yet, the regime denies both siblings entry to Cuba.
Defiance Against Coercion
"We don't want to sell," insists Isabel Urquiola. "Despite how you evaluate it, the usufruct is extinguished due to X reasons. I explained it before; my son can't enter the country, nor can my daughter, who has the authority. I have tried to resolve this, and we refuse to sell the animals but want to gift them because it's our right. We legally purchased these animals in Eastern Cuba and at the last fair in Consolación, paid with my son's money. Therefore, no one has the right to force us to sell if we don't wish to. We prefer to gift them to people we trust will care for them well. Today, I was planning to see how I could reclaim what is ours, bought with our money, and that we don't want to sell," she firmly stated, but to no avail.
Although Ministry of Agriculture officials suggested that the 79-year-old mother travel to Viñales to sign a document they claim might offer "hope" of not losing everything, she declined, asserting her son is the rightful owner of the farm and the only way to regularize the contract is to allow his return to Cuba, honoring the universal right to freedom of movement.
A Struggle for Justice and Hope
In a message to her son Ariel, Isabel assures she doesn't want to lose her composure over the farm and animals, viewing it as yet another injustice by the regime against her family. She wants to stay strong to reunite with her children, whom the regime keeps regulated, unable to return to Cuba, and in Ariel Ruiz Urquiola’s case, even preventing him from renewing his Cuban passport. In an interview with CiberCuba, Omara Ruiz Urquiola confirmed she plans to attempt re-entering the country in December.
"I think it's pointless to go (to the Ministry of Agriculture), to exhaust myself unnecessarily. One can't trust these people. We knew this would happen, yet it pains us deeply. I haven't even had breakfast yet. I will try to calm myself, pray for God's support, and hope to be well enough to continue and see you all someday," expressed Isabel Urquiola, the activists' mother.
She also desires to remain strong to eventually report, in a democratic Cuba, the officials who confiscated their animals. "This is theft, albeit not at gunpoint. The animals are yours (Ariel’s). You bought them with your money. It's not time to lament but to have faith in the future we have left. I must take care of myself. I want to live. I don't want this to cause me severe health issues," she added to her son.
"There’s no reason to bar you from entering the country. Legally, you could have handled this. It's very hard for me. I am simply your mother. I'm not afraid to go there, but something could happen to me. I'll shower, eat something, and rest. I can't do anything else today."
Understanding the Implications of the Ruiz Urquiola Case
Why can't Omara and Ariel Ruiz Urquiola return to Cuba?
The Cuban regime prevents them from returning due to their activism and protests against the dictatorship, effectively leaving them in forced exile.
What legal rights do the Ruiz Urquiola siblings have concerning their farm and animals?
As the legal owners of the livestock, they have the right to manage, sell, or gift their animals. However, the regime's actions have circumvented this right by forcibly seizing the livestock under dubious legal pretenses.
How have the Cuban authorities justified the seizure of the Ruiz Urquiola's property?
Officials claim the termination of the usufruct contract invalidates Ariel Ruiz Urquiola’s ownership of the land and livestock, allowing them to seize the property despite the family's protests.