Cuban saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera has publicly challenged Silvio Rodríguez, questioning why he hasn't informed Brazilian singer-songwriter Chico Buarque that a Grammy-winning artist is imprisoned in Cuba for his music.
These remarks come shortly after Chico Buarque visited Havana to record a new version of Rodríguez's song "Sueño con serpientes" at the Ojalá studios. This marked Buarque's first visit to the island in 34 years, a trip celebrated by the regime as a symbol of global solidarity.
"Why hasn't anyone told him that a Grammy winner is jailed for singing a song that displeased the authorities?" D'Rivera asked during an interview with CiberCuba.
D'Rivera's comments refer to Maykel Osorbo (Maykel Castillo Pérez), a Cuban rapper and co-performer of "Patria y Vida," the anthem of the July 11, 2021 protests—the largest public demonstrations in Cuba in decades.
Osorbo was arrested on May 18, 2021, by State Security and, despite being incarcerated, won two Latin Grammys in November of that year for Song of the Year and Best Urban Song, becoming the first Cuban musician to achieve this while imprisoned.
In June 2022, he was sentenced to nine years in prison on charges of contempt, assault, public disorder, defamation, and disrespect for national symbols.
A Call for Accountability
D'Rivera directly criticized Rodríguez's silence: "Why doesn't Silvio tell Chico Buarque about this? Because he knows."
The situation gains depth considering that weeks earlier, on March 18, Silvio publicly requested an AKM rifle to defend Cuba, which was subsequently presented to him by the Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, Álvaro López Miera, in a ceremony led by Díaz-Canel.
D'Rivera leveraged this episode to underscore his point: "After receiving shooting lessons with his AKM, he should inform Chico Buarque about the people imprisoned for singing and protesting."
Highlighting Other Cases
The musician also mentioned the cases of sculptor and activist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, detained since the July protests, and a young boy: "There's a 16-year-old from Morón imprisoned for sabotage. His 'crime' was shouting down the dictatorship."
D'Rivera extended his criticism to the broader musical community, stating, "Musicians haven't done enough for Cuba's freedom. That's the truth," while acknowledging figures like Celia Cruz, Bebo Valdés, and Cachao for their efforts.
To highlight the impact of inaction, he quoted Martin Luther King: "The thing that hurts more is not the evil of the bad people but the silence of the good," adding that such silence greatly aids the wrongdoers.
In the interview, D'Rivera reminisced about meeting Rodríguez in their youth when Rodríguez, then a cartoonist for El Olivo magazine, visited him with an army lieutenant while D'Rivera was serving in the State Major Band. Rodríguez had invited him to join an artistic group of the Revolutionary Armed Forces. "After that, I never saw him again," he recalled.
This Wednesday, Descemer Bueno, another co-author of "Patria y Vida," echoed the call, urging that Buarque be reminded of Osorbo's ongoing imprisonment.
Understanding the Cuban Music and Protest Landscape
Who is Maykel Osorbo?
Maykel Osorbo, also known as Maykel Castillo Pérez, is a Cuban rapper who co-performed the protest anthem "Patria y Vida." He was arrested in May 2021 and later sentenced to nine years in prison for charges including public disorder and contempt.
What is the significance of "Patria y Vida" in Cuba?
"Patria y Vida" is a song that became the anthem for the July 2021 protests in Cuba, symbolizing opposition to the government and advocating for freedom and change. The song won two Latin Grammys, highlighting its impact and international recognition.
Why did Paquito D'Rivera criticize Silvio Rodríguez?
Paquito D'Rivera criticized Silvio Rodríguez for not informing Chico Buarque about Maykel Osorbo's imprisonment. D'Rivera believes Rodríguez is aware of Osorbo's situation but chooses to remain silent, which he sees as complicit with the regime's actions.