A 52-year-old Cuban man named Ariel Limias Leyva was identified as the individual who ascended the steps of Havana's Capitol building—home to the National Assembly of People's Power—shirtless and holding a sign above his head reading, "End absurd political discrimination, down with the dictatorship." This was confirmed by a CubaNet investigation that verified his identity and current status.
The demonstration took place around 2 PM and concluded with Limias Leyva’s arrest. His wife, Yulia Morales, confirmed that he remains detained at the Dragones police station in Old Havana, where he is being held incommunicado and interrogated by political police officers. "They have him cut off from communication. I couldn't see him. We have no news of his condition," Morales told CubaNet.
Limias Leyva, a former pastor of the Assembly of God church, makes his living as a painter at the San José fair on Avenida del Puerto. He and his wife reside on Jesús María Street in Old Havana.
Morales emphasized that her husband "is not an activist nor part of any movement," and that before leaving, he told her, "Someone has to do it for our country."
The immediate trigger for his protest was a trial held the previous day, where the East Havana Municipal Popular Court sentenced content creator Anna Bensi and her mother, Caridad Silvente, to two years of restricted freedom for recording and sharing on social media a visit from a MININT agent to their home.
That same day, October 1, evangelical pastor Rolando Fidel Pérez Lora, known as "Herald of Christ," was detained when attempting to reach the court to support the accused, amid a large police and State Security operation.
Limias Leyva’s father-in-law, Jose Antonio Morales, publicly held the Cuban regime accountable in a Facebook post: "I hold the Cuban dictatorship responsible for whatever happens to my son-in-law in Cuba, who was detained for protesting in support of the mother and daughter and for the mistreatment of the evangelical pastor."
Videos of the protest capture a bystander among the small crowd saying, "They're going to make him disappear, they're going to make him disappear. Now, no one joins him."
This is not the first time Limias Leyva has taken to the streets to demand change. On April 5, 2021, and again on July 17 of the same year—just days after the historic July 11 protests—he marched through Havana with a "Freedom" sign and was arrested, receiving only a fine. Neighbors described him to CubaNet as "just another Cuban who suffocated and went out to claim his rights."
The arrest occurs amid escalating repression: September 2026 saw 663 protests and 136 repressive acts documented, while Cubalex recorded nearly 2,000 repressive actions in the first half of the year, with Havana being the province with the most violations reported.
Understanding the Context of Cuban Protests
What prompted Ariel Limias Leyva's protest?
Ariel Limias Leyva was driven to protest following the trial of Anna Bensi and her mother, who were sentenced for recording a MININT agent's visit, and the detention of pastor Rolando Fidel Pérez Lora.
Has Ariel Limias Leyva protested before?
Yes, Ariel Limias Leyva has protested before, notably on April 5, 2021, and July 17 of the same year, where he was arrested but only fined for carrying a "Freedom" sign.
What is the current situation of protests in Cuba?
Cuba is experiencing increasing repression, with September 2026 seeing 663 protests and 136 acts of repression. Cubalex documented nearly 2,000 repressive actions in the first half of the year, making Havana the province with the highest number of violations.