Ariel Limias Leyva has been unable to communicate with his family for three days since State Security transferred him to Villa Marista in Havana, following his arrest on Friday, October 2, for staging a solitary protest in front of the National Capitol.
His wife, Yulia Morales, reported this Monday to CubaNet that the family is still without direct news about him.
"We are still left with the helplessness and pain of not having any news, of not being able to see him, not even a call, nothing. We are heading to Villa Marista to see what news we have today," he declared.
Morales also assured that so far, she has not been informed of any formal charges against her husband. "He does not have charges yet. We're being told that when charges are filed, they will let us know," she explained.
On Sunday, the woman went to Villa Marista along with Limias' mother and brother to deliver toiletries. The instructor in charge of the case told them that the detainee "is still under investigation," that he is doing well, and that he received his medications, although his family members were not able to see or speak with him to verify this.
For now, the family has scheduled a first visit for Friday, October 9, provided that the authorities stick to the announced date.
Limias was transferred on Saturday from the Dragones police station in Old Havana to Villa Marista. His wife was only able to see him from a distance during the transfer.
At that moment, agents informed him that they were investigating a possible offense of public disorder and the alleged violation of the established limits for accessing the Capitol steps.
Limias, 53 years old, a former pastor of the Assemblies of God and a painter at the San José fair, resides in Old Havana. He arrived at the Capitol on Friday with his torso uncovered and a poster that read "NO + ABSURD POLITICAL DISCRIMINATION" and "DOWN WITH THE DICTATORSHIP."
Four agents arrested him a few minutes later while he was shouting, "Down with the dictatorship."
The man does not belong to opposition organizations nor does he regularly engage in public political activities, although he previously participated in another individual protest. In July 2021, just days after the demonstrations on July 11th, he walked the streets of Havana with a sign that demanded "Freedom." He was then arrested and subsequently fined.
Before leaving his home to protest on Friday, Limias left a phrase for his wife that now carries special weight following his detention: “Someone has to do it for our country”.
His arrest occurs amidst new repressive episodes against religious individuals and critical citizens in Cuba. The day before, Pastor Rolando Fidel Pérez Lora, known as the "Herald of Christ," was detained for the third time this year as he was heading to support influencer Anna Bensi and her mother, Caridad Silvente, during their trial.
According to the Cuban Conflict Observatory, September 2026 ended with 663 protests and 136 repressive actions, an increase of 36% compared to the previous month.
For now, Ariel Limias's family will have to wait until Friday to see him, as long as the authorities uphold the announced visit.
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