Maykel CASTILLO PÉREZ (known as Maykel Osorbo)

Cuban musician and rapper Maykel Castillo Pérez, widely known by the name ‘Maykel Osorbo’, continued serving a nine-year prison term in the high security 5 y Medio prison in Pinar del Río after his conviction on 24 June 2022 of charges including ‘contempt’, ‘attack’, ‘public disorder’ and ‘defamation of institutions and organisations’. He has been held since 18 May 2021 (see Case Lists 2021-2025).  

During 2025, Osorbo continued to face threats, violence and ill-treatment in prison (see Case Lists 2021-2025). His family has not been granted access to his medical records, while his health continues to worsen. In April, July, August, September and October he was transferred for several days to a punishment cell. PEN International expressed concern for his health when he went on a hunger strike between 20 June and 1 July, in response to ongoing ill-treatment, repeated transfers to punishment cells, and the threat of being moved to another prison. 

Osorbo was granted precautionary measures on 11 February 2021 by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, which in 2025 also found he had been subjected to violations of the rights to life, liberty, security, and integrity of the person; freedom of research, opinion, expression and dissemination; to participate in the cultural life of the community; partnership; personal freedom; to a regular process; and to justice. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention had previously concluded in November 2021 that Osorbo is detained arbitrarily solely for his pro-democracy activism and has urged his immediate release. 

Osorbo, born in 1983, is co-author, alongside other Cuban musicians, of ‘Patria y Vida‘ (‘Homeland and Life’). Since its release in February 2021, the song has served as an anthem during anti-government demonstrations across the island. The song received two Latin Grammy Awards.