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The rapper and Cuban political prisoner Maykel Castillo Pérez, known as Maykel Osorbo, was charged with "Damage to social property" following an incident that occurred in the Pinar del Río prison, as reported this Tuesday by the activist Anamely Ramos in a Facebook post.
Ramos explained that on August 26, 2025, Osorbo was taken out of the punishment cell and transferred back to the 5 and a half prison, from where he was able to make a phone call. In that communication, he described what happened following the assault he suffered at the hands of another inmate identified as Juan Ramos García.
"The charge that was ultimately brought against Maykel was for Damage to social property for tearing the clothing of the prisoner who physically assaulted him first," wrote Ramos, who stated that Osorbo avoided responding to the provocation and delivered the assailant "safe and sound" to other inmates. However, upon realizing that it was a trap, he did tear the clothing and other belongings of the assailant and said that he did not want him there any longer.
The activist emphasized that the course of the process is still to be determined, but warned that the regime's goal is to prolong an arbitrary sentence. "We are already campaigning to ensure that he is not given even one more minute of a sentence he never should have received, and certainly not for a fight he did not start," she stated.
In the complaint, she also mentioned Captain Lázaro de Jesús Domínguez Iglesias and Yusmani, the second chief of prisons and jails in Pinar del Río, whom she held responsible for orchestrating the act against the artist.
In previous days, it had been warned that Osorbo could face charges of contempt and threat following the assault he suffered in Kilo 8 prison in Pinar del Río. According to Ramos, that attack was instigated by Officer Lázaro Domínguez and was part of a provocation orchestrated by State Security.
It was also reported on his transfer to Kilo 8 prison for a new criminal proceeding, the charges of which had not been communicated to his family or close friends. On that occasion, Ramos warned on social media that the artist was in a state of resistance and held the regime responsible for anything that might happen to him: “He is ready to die, and this is not new. Maykel prefers death over going back there.”
Maykel Castillo was arrested in May 2021 and has been serving a prison sentence since then. He is one of the authors of the song “Patria y Vida”, considered an anthem of protest in Cuba. International organizations and human rights advocates have recognized him as a prisoner of conscience and have denounced the reprisals against him.
Frequently Asked Questions about Maykel Osorbo's Case and His Situation in Prison
Why was Maykel Osorbo accused of "Damage to social property"?
Maykel Osorbo was accused of "Damage to Social Property" because he tore the clothing of a prisoner who had physically assaulted him. According to the report by activist Anamely Ramos, this accusation is part of a maneuver by the Cuban regime to extend his arbitrary sentence. Osorbo has been recognized as a prisoner of conscience by international organizations, highlighting the political nature of his imprisonment.
What is Maykel Osorbo's current situation in prison?
Maykel Osorbo is currently in the Pinar del Río prison, facing conditions of isolation and punishment. He has been moved between different prisons and subjected to provocations by the prison authorities. Osorbo has gone on hunger strikes in protest against these situations, and his health has been compromised. Activists like Anamely Ramos have denounced the lack of transparency and have demanded guarantees of his rights and physical integrity.
What actions have human rights defenders taken regarding the case of Maykel Osorbo?
Human rights defenders and activists have called on the international community to demand guarantees for the life and rights of Maykel Osorbo. They have denounced his detention as arbitrary and a form of political persecution. Anamely Ramos, in particular, has been a prominent voice in raising awareness about Osorbo's situation, demanding transparency and direct communication to confirm his health status. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the use of the Cuban prison system as a tool for political punishment.
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