A disciplinary measure has been imposed on Maykel Osorbo in prison for "spreading false news" on social media

The Cuban rapper and political prisoner Maykel "Osorbo" Castillo Pérez has received a severe disciplinary measure in Kilo 5 and a Half prison in Pinar del Río for allegedly "spreading false news" on social media, according to a report by the Facebook page Maykel Osorbo 349.

The Facebook post explains that the sanction was imposed by order of Captain Pedro, a prison officer, in retaliation for the ongoing complaints made by the page's managers regarding abuses in prison, acts of violence, and human rights violations. "By superior orders, Captain Pedro imposed a serious disciplinary measure today on Maykel Castillo Pérez (Maykel Osorbo) for 'spreading false news,'" the post states.

"This sanction responds to previous complaints that we have been sharing on this same page, as well as across all of Maykel's networks and those of his friends," he adds.

The new update on his status expresses gratitude to those who follow and spread information about the rapper's case. "He is, in addition to being a political prisoner, an artist, and as such, he owes it to his audience. We are his voice, and he trusts us," it states. At the end of the call with Maykel, he once again made his unwavering stance clear: "I am my own democratic support."

The complaint about this measure imposed on Maykel Osorbo arises at a time of growing tension regarding the situation of political prisoners in Cuba. Last December, Osorbo spoke out about the release of 192 inmates who were beneficiaries of an agreement with the United States and the Vatican, expressing skepticism and stating that he remains focused on serving his sentence until 2030. In a conversation with journalist Carlos Manuel Álvarez, he said, "If I think about anything else, I’ll go crazy."

The artist, one of the co-authors of the protest anthem "Patria y Vida," was sentenced in June 2022 to nine years in prison for alleged crimes including assault, resistance, contempt, and public disorder. Since then, he has been subject to mistreatment, beatings, and isolation in prison. In April 2024, he suffered a physical assault in which he nearly lost an ear, and in August of the same year, it was reported that he had fallen ill, although the prison authorities did not provide him with adequate medical care.

International organizations such as Amnesty International have declared Osorbo a prisoner of conscience and have demanded his immediate release. His case has been repeatedly mentioned in reports denouncing the repression of Cuban artists and activists.

This disciplinary measure adds to a series of reprisals against Osorbo within the prison. In November 2024, he sent a letter from his cell, reaffirming his commitment to the fight for freedom in Cuba. In his letter, he described his imprisonment as a test of endurance and emphasized that he will continue to defend his principles without compromising with the regime.

The imprisonment of Osorbo has been widely condemned by the artistic and human rights community both inside and outside of Cuba. During his time in prison, he has continued to compose music and send messages to his followers, who keep his cause alive on social media under the slogans #FreeMaykelOsorbo and #HomelandAndLife.

The situation of Maykel Osorbo remains a clear example of the systematic harassment against opponents on the island, and his case continues to raise concerns in the international arena.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Situation of Maykel Osorbo and Repression in Cuba