The Cuban rapper and political prisoner Maykel Castillo Pérez, widely known as "El Osorbo," is experiencing health problems in the maximum-security prison "Kilo 5 y Medio" in Pinar del Río, where he is currently serving his sentence. According to Martí Noticias, the artist has been suffering from fever and headaches. However, his wife, Viviani Peña, has been unable to confirm if it is dengue or another virus due to the restrictions in the penitentiary.
The situation in the prison is critical, made worse by a surge in cases of dengue and Oropouche fever in Cuba. His next scheduled visit is on August 20, which coincides with his 41st birthday.
The rapper, who won two Latin Grammy Awards for the song "Patria y Vida," was sentenced in 2022 to nine years in prison on charges of contempt, assault, public disorder, and defamation.
In May, international organizations and colleagues of the Cuban rapper El Osorbo marked his third year of imprisonment, charged by the regime with assault, resistance, and contempt. The Amnesty International organization for the Americas reiterated their demand for the immediate and unconditional release of Osorbo, who was detained in 2021.
Last April, Osorbo was brutally beaten in prison to the point where he nearly lost an ear, as reported by the independent outlet El Estornudo.
An article written by Cuban author Carlos Manuel Álvarez titled "Maykel Osorbo: 'They have to kill me face-to-face'" reveals details of the incident that occurred on April 18 in the maximum-security prison of Kilo 5 y Medio in Pinar del Río. The aggression took place during breakfast when several inmates protested against the food shortage in the prison after the bread ran out, the article states.
Health Issues and Human Rights Violations in Cuban Prisons
This section aims to answer common questions regarding the health issues and human rights violations faced by prisoners in Cuba, with a focus on the case of Maykel Osorbo.
What are the health conditions in Cuban prisons?
Cuban prisons are often criticized for their poor health conditions, including overcrowding, lack of medical supplies, and inadequate healthcare services, leading to the spread of diseases like dengue and Oropouche fever.
Why is Maykel Osorbo in prison?
Maykel Osorbo was sentenced to nine years in prison in 2022 on charges of contempt, assault, public disorder, and defamation. His imprisonment has been widely criticized as politically motivated.
What actions are international organizations taking for Osorbo's release?
Organizations like Amnesty International have been actively demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Maykel Osorbo, highlighting his case as a significant human rights violation under the Cuban regime.