Javier Martín Gutiérrez, better known in the mixed martial arts world as "Spiderman," marked his sixth day of peaceful protest from his balcony on Havana's 31st Avenue overlooking the El Lido terminal. Remarkably, no regime officials have approached him during this time.
In a video shared on Instagram, the 135-pound champion of the Cuban Fighting League boldly stated, "The communist system is dead. You are the state security, look at yourselves. No one is coming."
Spiderman revealed that State Security officials visited his mother, yet no one has confronted him directly.
He issued a challenge to the counterintelligence psychologist allegedly seeking to assess his mental health: "Not even the counterintelligence psychologist looking for nervous problems has shown up. Let him come, I'll make him nervous."
The martial artist also dared authorities to engage in a televised debate, highlighting the disconnect between Cuba's reality and state TV portrayals: "In your TV shows, there are no blackouts, no crazies, no drug dealers, no children begging for money. This doesn't appear on the news or in your soap operas."
Summing up his ongoing protest, he said, "We're still here, day six and nothing changes. They’re living off my back."
In previous days, Spiderman had ramped up his criticism, responding to claims of mental instability: "I'm not crazy; I'm just tired. I haven't taken anything into my body for years. I am mentally, physically, and spiritually well."
From Miami, rapper and activist Eliecer Márquez Duany, known as El Funky and co-signer of "Patria y Vida," amplified Spiderman’s videos and lamented the lack of public support: "He's been peacefully protesting for days, demanding freedom, yet no support from the Cuban people. Freedom is for everyone, but no one fights for it."
Activist Anamely Ramos from the San Isidro Movement called for "maximum visibility" for Spiderman's plight and warned the regime: "Will you send your hired thugs to hunt this young man down? Know that if you do, it will further expose the scandalous lies of the so-called president."
Her comments refer to Miguel Díaz-Canel's statements made on April 12 during NBC News' Meet the Press, where he denied the existence of political prisoners in Cuba and claimed no one is detained for speaking out.
Spiderman's protest coincides with Cuba’s dire humanitarian crisis, the worst since the Special Period of the 1990s. Power outages last up to twenty hours daily following the halt of Venezuelan oil shipments on January 3, 2026, leaving 96.91% of the population without adequate food access, according to the Food Monitor Program.
"There is only one truth. They're scared," Spiderman concluded on the sixth day, vowing to continue his protest.
Insight into Spiderman's Protest and Cuba's Crisis
Who is "Spiderman" in the context of the Cuban protests?
"Spiderman" is the nickname of Javier Martín Gutiérrez, a mixed martial arts champion in Cuba, known for his peaceful protests against the communist regime from his Havana balcony.
What prompted Spiderman to start his protest?
Spiderman initiated his protest to challenge the Cuban regime and bring awareness to the country's dire living conditions and lack of freedoms, as depicted in his social media posts.
How has the Cuban government responded to Spiderman's protest?
So far, the Cuban government has not directly confronted Spiderman, though State Security has reportedly visited his mother. No official approach has been made towards him personally despite his public defiance.
What is the current humanitarian situation in Cuba?
Cuba is experiencing severe humanitarian challenges, including prolonged power outages and widespread food shortages affecting nearly the entire population, following the cessation of Venezuelan oil imports.