In a heartfelt first public interview since the tragic passing of his son, DJ Mauro Menéndez, known artistically as Maahez, Cuban musician Osamu Menéndez broke his silence on Monday.
During the interview, Osamu issued a stern warning to young people regarding the use of electronic cigarettes, stating, “Do not smoke that, really. I know that's what killed him.”
The conversation with journalist Erwin Pérez for the program "La Trastienda" occurred ten days after Mauro's death, which took place on the Caribbean island of Barbados between the night of July 16 and the early hours of July 17.
The Dangers of Vaping
A vaping device operates by heating a liquid to generate an aerosol, which is then inhaled. These devices have gained immense popularity among the youth.
Osamu believes that vaping exacerbated his son's illness, leading to the pneumonia that ultimately claimed the young man's life at 32. However, this remains a personal belief rather than an official medical conclusion from Barbadian authorities.
The Final Days of Mauro Menéndez
Mauro had traveled to Barbados on July 15 for a DJ gig despite being unwell. A day before his flight, he informed his mother, actress Aylín Mujica, via message that a doctor had diagnosed him with pneumonia and prescribed antibiotics, assuring her he felt better.
Osamu revealed that he was unaware of his son’s presence in Miami prior to the trip, suspecting that Mauro intentionally kept it a secret to avoid being stopped from traveling while sick.
On July 16, while playing with friends on a Barbados beach, Mauro began to have seizures.
A Mother's Heartbreaking Account
Aylín Mujica recounted the harrowing events, sharing that Mauro suffered three heart attacks and was revived seven times. Doctors discovered a clot in his lung and another in his heart. He was pronounced dead at 1:45 a.m. on July 17.
Osamu detailed his emotional farewell at the Barbados morgue, saying, “I asked him why he was so irresponsible, why he left us, why he put us through this, and that we loved him very much. I hugged him tightly and kissed his forehead. I think that was my goodbye.”
Remembering Mauro's Legacy
Despite his grief, the musician expressed pride in his son’s accomplishments, stating, “I am very proud. I believe he achieved his dream, even if he didn’t realize it. His dream was to play in major nightclubs and festivals, and that’s what he was always doing.”
Since 2014, Mauro had been building a career as a producer and DJ, pioneering the Global Bass and Moombahton movements in the Latin scene. He collaborated with artists like Diplo, DJ Snake, Tiesto, and Steve Aoki, and was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2020.
Osamu confessed he has not been able to play the guitar since the tragedy, dedicating his time to preserving about 5,000 photos and unreleased music from Mauro's computer for other DJs to share.
His partner, Yory Gómez, is also mourning alongside him and shared in a video, “There are no words to describe such enormous, gut-wrenching pain.”
Osamu's Path to Healing
Mauro's death marks the second devastating loss for Osamu within four months. In March 2026, Diana Díaz Olivera, the mother of his daughter Adri, passed away.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be the same person. I don’t think I can ever be completely happy again, but I will try,” Osamu concluded, marking this interview as his initial step back into public life.
Understanding Vaping Risks and Tragic Outcomes
What led Osamu Menéndez to speak out against vaping?
Osamu Menéndez believes that vaping contributed to his son Mauro's illness, leading to a fatal pneumonia. While this is his personal belief, it's not an official medical conclusion.
How did Mauro Menéndez's career impact the music scene?
Mauro Menéndez was a pioneer in the Global Bass and Moombahton movements within the Latin music scene, collaborating with major artists and earning a Latin Grammy nomination in 2020.