Cuban rapper and political prisoner Maykel Castillo Pérez, widely recognized as "Osorbo," was removed from the high-security Kilo 8 prison in Pinar del Río this past Friday. His family was not informed, and his current location remains a mystery, as reported by activist Anamely Ramos on Facebook.
Ramos revealed, "We learned through a supportive source that Maykel Castillo was taken today from Kilo 8 prison in Pinar del Río, where he was moved in January of this year. Officials simply entered his cell, instructed him to gather his belongings, and took him away. We have no information on where he is or the reasons for this action." She concluded her post with a poignant question: "Where is Maykel Osorbo?"
The activist highlighted that if this were a routine transfer between prisons, the family should have received an official notification, which they did not, stating, "as is often the case."
Osorbo was relocated to Kilo 8 at the end of January 2026, accused by prison authorities of orchestrating a riot.
This facility, known for its remote location and harsh conditions, was the last known place of his detention.
The rapper is serving a nine-year sentence handed down in June 2022 for charges including contempt, assault, public disorder, and defamation of institutions, following his arrest on May 18, 2021.
In May 2026, USA Today obtained recordings indicating the regime offered him an ultimatum in April: exile or remain imprisoned until 2030. Osorbo agreed to exile, yet he was not released.
This recent incident mirrors what happened just three days earlier with Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, who was removed from Guanajay prison on July 7 in a major operation, also without notifying his family and leaving his whereabouts unknown for several days.
In Otero Alcántara's situation, State Security contacted Anamely Ramos from an unknown number, using a speakerphone to inquire about the humanitarian parole process to the United States that his associates were managing.
Otero Alcántara confirmed he was "fine" but couldn't disclose his location.
Artists Targeted for Exile
The pattern suggests that the regime aims to manage the exile of these high-profile artists without formally releasing them within Cuba, a strategy previously used with other dissidents.
Osorbo's case has drawn significant international attention. On June 23, 2026, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights declared that Cuba had disappeared him, detained him arbitrarily, and sentenced him without due process, demanding the annulment of his conviction.
Amnesty International recognizes him as a prisoner of conscience, and the UN determined in February 2022 that his imprisonment is solely due to his activism.
As the co-author of "Patria y Vida," the anthem of Cuban democratic resistance, Osorbo is notably the first artist to win two Latin Grammys while incarcerated, a recognition received in November 2021.
On this Friday, as his whereabouts remain unconfirmed, Prisoners Defenders reported in June 2026 a record 1,281 political prisoners on the island, highlighting Osorbo's disappearance as part of a systematic repression that shows no sign of abating.
Frequently Asked Questions about Maykel Osorbo's Situation
Who is Maykel Castillo, also known as "Osorbo"?
Maykel Castillo, or "Osorbo," is a Cuban rapper and political prisoner known for his activism against the Cuban regime. He is a co-author of the protest song "Patria y Vida" and has won two Latin Grammys while incarcerated.
What led to Osorbo's imprisonment?
Osorbo was sentenced to nine years in prison in 2022 for charges including contempt, assault, public disorder, and defamation of institutions, following his arrest in May 2021.
Why is Maykel Osorbo's current location unknown?
Osorbo was unexpectedly removed from Kilo 8 prison without notifying his family, and his current whereabouts are unknown, raising concerns about his safety and the regime's handling of his case.