Maykel Osorbo
Maykel Osorbo
Overview
Maykel Castillo Pérez, known professionally as "Maykel Osorbo," is a Cuban rapper and Latin Grammy Award-winning artist who is currently imprisoned in Cuba since 2021. He is a founding member of the San Isidro Movement (Movimiento San Isidro, MSI), a collective of artists, intellectuals, journalists, and musicians formed in September 2018.
San Isidro Movement
The San Isidro Movement was established in response to Decree 349, a law that expanded government oversight of artistic expression in Cuba. The group consists of individuals who oppose what they characterize as government censorship of artistic works. The movement gained prominence through demonstrations, hunger strikes, and artistic expressions critical of government policies.[1]
Legal Situation
Castillo Pérez was arrested on May 18, 2021, and later sentenced to nine years in prison on charges including contempt, defamation of institutions and public disorder, according to documentation available through the independent organization Prisoners Defenders. His supporters contend his imprisonment is politically motivated, while Cuban authorities maintain the charges are based on legitimate violations of Cuban law.
Musical Career and Activism
As a musician, Castillo Pérez's work has been particularly notable for its political content. His music has circulated primarily through unofficial channels in Cuba, particularly in Havana neighborhoods.[2]
Notable Works
Castillo Pérez co-created two songs that gained international attention:
- "DiazCarao" (December 2020) - A collaboration with Eliecer "El Funky" Márquez that directly addressed President Miguel Díaz-Canel.
- "Patria y Vida" (February 2021) - This collaborative work contrasted with the long-standing Cuban revolutionary slogan "Patria o Muerte" (Homeland or Death) by proposing "Homeland and Life" instead. The song won "Song of the Year" and "Best Urban Song" at the 22nd Annual Latin Grammy Awards in 2021. In his verse, Castillo Pérez references a hunger strike conducted by members of the San Isidro Movement and alludes to historical prisoners of conscience in Cuba known as "Plantados."
International Attention
Multiple human rights organizations have expressed concern about Castillo Pérez's case, including Amnesty International[3], the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)[4], the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission [5], Human Rights Watch[6] and Artists at Risk Connection (ARC)[7]. These organizations have documented allegations regarding detention conditions and have called for his release.[8]
Context
Castillo Pérez's imprisonment[9] occurred approximately two months before widespread demonstrations across Cuba on July 11, 2021,[10] which were among the largest anti-government protests in Cuba since the 1994 "Maleconazo" protests.[11][12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19]
- ↑ "Cuba's San Isidro movement and allies under frightening levels of surveillance". 15 December 2020.
- ↑ "Two Years After 'Patria y Vida,' Cuban Rapper Maykel Osorbo Remains in Jail". Rolling Stone. 6 January 2023.
- ↑ "Cuba: Prisoner of Conscience Maykel Osorbo in Danger". 31 July 2023.
- ↑ "IACHR and Offices of Special Rapporteurs Condemn Harassment of Artists, Journalists, and Activists in Cuba and Call on State to Cease Acts of Persecution Against Those Exercising the Right to Freedom of Expression and Artistic Creation".
- ↑ "Maykel "Osorbo" Castillo Pérez | Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission". 11 August 2023.
- ↑ "Cuba: Release Imprisoned Artists | Human Rights Watch". 26 May 2022.
- ↑ "UN Demands Release of Cuban Musician Maykel Osorbo — ARC".
- ↑ "International organisations demand the immediate release of Latin Grammy-winning musician Maykel Osorbo and an immediate halt to the violation of his human rights. By CADAL".
- ↑ "Imprisoned Cuban Artist and Activist Maykel "Osorbo" Castillo Pérez Sews His Mouth Shut to Protest Threats and Harassment". 14 July 2023.
- ↑ Janetsky, Megan (13 July 2021). "'Patria y Vida' — Homeland and Life — Watchwords in Cuba's Protests". The New York Times.
- ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com › outlook › 2021/07/22
- ↑ "The Maleconazo in photos: 30 years later". 5 August 2024.
- ↑ "OAS - Organization of American States: Democracy for peace, security, and development". August 2009.
- ↑ "Maykel Castillo Pérez: Datos del preso político".
- ↑ "Text - S.Res.37 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): A resolution expressing solidarity with the San Isidro Movement in Cuba, condemning escalated attacks against artistic freedoms in Cuba, and calling for the repeal of laws that violate freedom of expression and the immediate release of arbitrarily detained artists, journalists, and activists". 15 April 2021.
- ↑ "Raised fist, dangling handcuffs: A snapshot of Cuban dissent". 11 April 2021.
- ↑ "Update and Legal Analysis on the Case of Jailed Rapper Maykel 'Osorbo' Castillo / Cubalex". 29 August 2021.
- ↑ "The Last Prison of Maykel Osorbo - No Country Magazine". 25 July 2021.
- ↑ https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article262870363.html
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- ↑ kanopi_admin (2022-04-21). "Joint Statement Condemning Charges in Cuba Against Maykel "El Osorbo" Castillo Perez and Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara". PEN America. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
- ↑ "Free Them All: The Fred Hiatt Program to Free Political Prisoners".
- ↑ "Imprisoned Cuban rapper sewed his mouth shut in protest of government's mistreatment". ABC News.
