The rapper and Cuban political prisoner Maykel “Osorbo” Castillo released an emotional message from prison, asking his supporters to help him celebrate the tenth birthday of his daughter Jade de la Caridad, who recently managed to leave Cuba with her mother for the United States.
In an audio shared on his social media, Osorbo recalled that five years ago he was able to celebrate his daughter's fifth birthday, but since then, due to repression and his imprisonment, he has not been able to attend that special moment in her life again.
This August 22, my daughter turns ten years old. This is a very important age for me, because at ten years old, I started to have many problems and wandered through life. And that is the age my daughter is now,” said Osorbo.
The artist, sentenced to nine years in prison for his activism and his participation in the song Patria y Vida, asked his followers to connect with him "from the funk" and to personally deliver a gift to his daughter as a sign of support and affection.
I need your support, I need to know how many of us are connected… I want you to post congratulations on Facebook, to visit my page where my daughter's photo is. I love you all, blessings,” she added.
A story marked by separation and resistance
The daughter of Osorbo, Jade de la Caridad, has been one of the most tender yet powerful voices in the fight for her father's freedom. In 2022, at just seven years old, she moved thousands of Cubans and members of the international community when she sent a message to the Summit of the Americas asking for help to free him: "My dad is imprisoned just for singing a song. I love him very much and I miss him."
That video, shared by artists like Yotuel Romero, struck a chord in the heart of a community shaped by exile, family separation, and the pain of watching their loved ones imprisoned for thinking differently.
In June 2024, Jade and her mother managed to leave Cuba for the United States, in a step that was celebrated as a personal victory amidst the drama of their family.
The co-author of Patria y Vida is serving a nine-year sentence imposed in 2022 for alleged crimes such as “assault” and “public disorder.” His trial, according to multiple international organizations, was a direct reprisal for his art and activism.
Frequently Asked Questions about Maykel Osorbo and His Current Situation
Why is Maykel Osorbo in prison?
Maykel Osorbo is in prison for his political activism and his involvement in the song "Patria y Vida," regarded as an anthem of protest against the Cuban government. He was sentenced to nine years in prison for alleged crimes such as "assault" and "public disorder," in a trial described by international organizations as retaliation for his art and activism.
How has Maykel Osorbo's imprisonment affected his family?
The imprisonment of Maykel Osorbo has caused a painful separation in his family, especially with his daughter Jade de la Caridad, who recently managed to leave Cuba with her mother heading to the United States. Osorbo has been unable to be present at important events in his daughter's life, such as her tenth birthday, which has prompted a call to the community to send gifts and messages of support.
What is Maykel Osorbo's health status in prison?
The health of Maykel Osorbo has become a cause for concern due to the conditions of his detention and the hunger strikes he has undertaken in protest of his situation. He has shown symptoms of illness and has lost weight during his strikes. The prison authorities have faced criticism for failing to provide adequate medical care.
What actions have international organizations taken regarding the case of Maykel Osorbo?
Various international human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International, have declared Maykel Osorbo a prisoner of conscience and have demanded his immediate release. His imprisonment has been condemned as a violation of human rights, and his case has become a symbol of political repression in Cuba.
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