Images of Gilbertman outside of prison go viral after 10 years of sentencing

Social media has been filled with images and posts about the Cuban reggaeton artist Gilberto Martínez Suárez, known artistically as Gilbertman, who has reportedly been released after serving a decade of his 17-year prison sentence.

However, there are no official confirmations regarding their release or the exact context in which the photos circulating on Facebook were taken.

Photos and messages that fuel doubts

Facebook pages such as La Tijera, José Forever - El Taiger, and user Rickee Estrada shared images showing Gilbertman with his wife and children, accompanied by messages claiming his “return to freedom” after ten years behind bars.

One of the most shared posts on social media quotes alleged words from the musician himself:

“After 10 years, today I feel freedom again (...). It has been a hard journey, filled with lessons, reflections, and faith (...) I am back, stronger and with a clear heart,” wrote Gilbertman according to the page José Forever - El Taiger.

However, CiberCuba has not been able to verify the authenticity of this message or the date and location where the photos were taken. It is also unclear whether the reggaeton artist has been permanently released, if it is a temporary permit, or a family visit, which is uncommon but possible in the Cuban penitentiary system.

A dizzying rise and a resounding fall

Gilbertman was arrested in January 2015 at his luxurious mansion in Guanabacoa, Havana, during a police operation. At the time of his arrest, he boasted online about a life of luxury: bundles of dollars, expensive cars, jewelry, and parties, all while claiming that he had “succeeded” after returning from Miami.

The Cuban court sentenced him to 17 years in prison for a long list of crimes, including forgery, tax evasion, electricity theft, kidnapping, and engaging in illegal economic activity.

Its story was a symbol of the power that money holds in a society marked by inequality, but also of the limits of the regime when its control is challenged.

In 2017, the mansion of the reggaeton artist, then known as “The House of Gilbertman”, was confiscated by the Cuban government and transformed into a foster home for children without guardians.

A "privileged" inmate

In 2019, videos from a Cuban prison were leaked showing Gilbertman in unusually favorable conditions.

The images, shared by the presenter Alex Otaola, showed the reggaeton artist arguing with prison officials surrounded by personal belongings. “I have no home or family in this country, you know that,” he was saying at the time.

The case generated controversy as it highlighted the harshness of the Cuban prison system in contrast to the apparent comfort of a famous inmate with financial resources.

Reintegration or temporary permit?

Despite the virality of the current photos, there is no evidence that Martínez has been officially released after serving his tenth year of sentence. Sources from the Ministry of the Interior and the Cuban judicial system have not issued any statements on the matter. It is also unclear whether the musician remains in custody or if he has received a conditional release.

Gilbertman, who in his heyday called himself “the king of Havana”, represents one of the most publicized cases of rise and fall in the world of Cuban reggaeton.

From flaunting bundles of dollars and bodyguards, he went on to serve a severe sentence on the Island. His figure became a symbol of ostentation and the cracks in economic power under a system where only a few can prosper without consequences.

For now, the images circulating on social media only confirm one thing: Gilbertman remains newsworthy, even a decade after his downfall.

Frequently Asked Questions about Gilbertman's Prison Release