Cuban-American artist and curator Coco Fusco recently highlighted the case of Maykel Osorbo as a poignant example of the cultural repression in Cuba: "Maykel Osorbo, a two-time Grammy winner, faces imprisonment if he sings in his own country. He is not alone in this plight."
For over forty years, Fusco has been analyzing Cuban cultural production both on the island and abroad. She emphasized that the issue is not a lack of talent but rather the lack of freedom: "There has never been a shortage of talent, intelligence, or productivity among Cuban creators, whether residing in Cuba or elsewhere. The real issue lies elsewhere."
The Fight for Freedom of Expression
"What is missing now is freedom of expression, which allows diverse artistic expressions to thrive in Cuba. That is why so many have left," Fusco stated.
Osorbo, whose real name is Maykel Castillo Pérez, is a rapper, co-founder of the San Isidro Movement, and co-author of "Patria y Vida." The song became an anthem for the July 11, 2021 protests—the largest demonstrations against the Cuban regime in decades.
He was arrested on May 18, 2021, by State Security agents, months before "Patria y Vida" won two Latin Grammys in November of that year: Best Song of the Year and Best Urban Song.
Imprisonment and Recognition
Osorbo became the first Cuban musician to win a Latin Grammy while in jail. El Funky accepted the awards on his behalf, dedicating them to Osorbo and Cuban political prisoners.
In June 2022, a Cuban court sentenced him to nine years in prison on charges including disrespecting national symbols, contempt, and assault. He is currently serving his sentence in the maximum-security prison "Kilo 5 y Medio" in Pinar del Río.
Fusco emphasized that the exodus of Cuban artists is a response to repression rather than a lack of love for their homeland: "It's not because they don't love their country. I know many artists who love Cuba but can't create there."
The Role of Bureaucracy in Cultural Repression
The curator also criticized the role of cultural bureaucrats in the regime: "There have been talented bureaucrats, officials, curators, and critics eager to help, but many simply follow the top-down rules, focusing more on repression than on empowering and providing opportunities for artists."
Osorbo's case is not unique. By the end of 2025, the Cultural Rights Observatory documented that 17 artists remained imprisoned in Cuba, while another 10 were serving sentences under restrictive conditions.
"Numerous young theater practitioners, filmmakers, and writers have had to leave the country due to the lack of freedom of expression and repression, not because of a lack of talent," concluded Fusco. She is organizing the exhibition "States of Confinement: The Relational Art of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara," set to open on May 28 at the Metropolitan Gallery of the UAM in Mexico City.
Understanding Cultural Repression in Cuba
Why is Maykel Osorbo imprisoned in Cuba?
Maykel Osorbo is serving a nine-year sentence for charges including disrespecting national symbols, contempt, and assault. His arrest is part of the broader repression of artists and political dissenters in Cuba.
What impact did "Patria y Vida" have in Cuba?
"Patria y Vida" became an anthem during the July 11, 2021 protests against the Cuban regime, symbolizing a call for freedom and change. Its influence was significant enough to earn two Latin Grammy awards.
How does cultural repression affect Cuban artists?
Cultural repression in Cuba limits freedom of expression, forcing many talented artists to leave the country in search of a space where they can create freely without fear of persecution.