José Martínez, a prominent content creator, has crowned Javier Ernesto Martín Gutiérrez, better known as "Spiderman," a "Triple Champion" in a powerful video poem shared on Facebook this Sunday. Spiderman, a Cuban mixed martial arts fighter, was violently detained last Thursday by State Security agents.
In a brief yet impactful 45-second video, Martínez transforms the repression experienced by the athlete into a poetic indictment against the dictatorship. Within just hours, the video amassed thousands of views and reactions, underscoring the significant impact Spiderman's case has had on the Cuban community both on the island and abroad.
Martínez's poem begins with a straightforward assertion: "He's a triple champion—a martial champion in his weight class, a champion for his bravery, and thus, a champion in the heart of Cuba."
The titles attributed to Javier by Martínez are not without reason: the first acknowledges his status as the 135-pound champion of the Cuban Fighting League; the second, his courage in protesting alone for over eight consecutive days from his balcony on Avenida 31 in Marianao, Havana; and the third, the place he has earned in the hearts and memories of his compatriots, weary of having their voices silenced and their protests suppressed.
"I want to recognize you, Javier, because you chose to embark on a path of coherence," recites Martínez, who is also a psychologist and entrepreneur, adding, "Your example of resistance is not diminished by your solitude. You broke the protocol of a dying city."
Starting around April 15, Spiderman began peaceful protests from his balcony, denouncing the social crisis, hunger, the drug consumption known as "el kímico," and street violence, declaring, "The communist system is dead."
Last Thursday, plainclothes agents intercepted him on Calle 90 between 41 and 43, assaulted him when he resisted, and took him in an unmarked vehicle to Villa Marista, the historical headquarters of the Cuban political police.
His wife, Lisandra Cuza, confirmed Spiderman's whereabouts at Villa Marista on Friday, stating that MININT authorities admitted he had been "beaten for resisting."
The regime, via its propaganda outlet "Razones de Cuba," attempted to justify the detention by suggesting Martín Gutiérrez has a psychiatric disorder, portraying his transfer as a "clinical evaluation, not torture." The use of mental illness as a political weapon in Cuba is deeply rooted in Castroism and has been documented by international human rights organizations.
Among the most direct verses of Martínez's poem are those highlighting the contradiction between the official narrative and reality: "You proved that those who wish to express themselves freely are imprisoned. And recently, in an interview, the president lied to the journalist, denying this reality. You exposed the truth of the communist regime."
This refers to Miguel Díaz-Canel, who on April 12 denied the existence of political prisoners in Cuba to NBC News, calling such claims a "big lie" and "slander," despite hundreds, including minors like Jonathan Muir, being jailed for expressing dissent against the regime.
Just two weeks after the president's statements, State Security arrested Spiderman for his peaceful balcony protests.
Spiderman's case is not an isolated incident. His detention, and the regime's response, occur amidst a context where independent organizations estimate the number of political prisoners in the country to be in the hundreds, many of whom were jailed following the July 11th protests in 2021.
A massive Easter pardon in 2026 released over 2,010 inmates for common crimes but explicitly excluded political prisoners, clearly distinguishing between those the regime deems criminals and those it considers ideological enemies.
José Martínez's poem concludes with a sentiment reflecting the feelings of thousands of Cubans: Javier Ernesto Martín Gutiérrez has not only achieved a sporting triumph but, by standing alone against power, has revealed to the world the truth of the tyranny that imprisoned him for it.
Key Questions About Spiderman's Case and Cuban Political Repression
Who is Javier Ernesto Martín Gutiérrez, also known as "Spiderman"?
Javier Ernesto Martín Gutiérrez, known as "Spiderman," is a Cuban mixed martial arts fighter who gained attention for his peaceful protests against the Cuban regime from his balcony in Havana.
Why was Spiderman detained by Cuban authorities?
Spiderman was detained for his public protests that criticized the Cuban government, highlighting issues such as social crisis and hunger, which are highly sensitive topics under the regime.
What impact did Spiderman's detention have on the Cuban community?
His detention sparked significant outrage and solidarity within the Cuban community, both on the island and abroad, as it highlights ongoing repression and the harsh response to dissent in Cuba.