Born and raised in the Cuban city of Cienfuegos, Acea began taking part in athletics at the age of ten and started out as a 400 m runner.

As he grew older, he began running in the 800 m as well upon the advice of the coaches at his local high performance sports centre.

[3] His season ended on a high as he won the 800 m title for Cuba at the 2009 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships.

[2] He made his senior breakthrough the very next season, starting with an 800 m win at the Copa Cuba national championships, where he was also second over 400 m.[5] A duel between Acea and his more senior rival Andy González proved to be a highlight of the Barrientos Memorial, and it was the younger Cuban who won and set a personal best of 1:45.62 minutes.

[5] He was chosen to represent Cuba at the 2011 Pan American Games and while his older compatriot González won the 800 m title, Acea earned the bronze medal with his sprint finish.