Cuban art curator and activist Anamely Ramos declared on Tuesday that despite the United States granting humanitarian parole to rapper and political prisoner Maykel Castillo Pérez—known as Maykel Osorbo—the Cuban regime has shown no signs of releasing him from incarceration.
In a video shared on Univision journalist Javier Díaz's Facebook page, Ramos stated bluntly, "We have no confirmation yet that the regime will indeed let him go."
She emphasized, however, that the parole has been approved, and they will exert "all possible pressure" to secure his freedom.
The Cultural Rights Observatory, which supports his case, confirmed that the U.S. processed and approved Osorbo's parole simultaneously with that of his fellow San Isidro Movement member, Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara. However, these are independent proceedings.
Otero Alcántara arrived in Miami on July 18, after five years of imprisonment, forced into exile by the regime as a condition for his release.
In contrast, Osorbo remains confined in the maximum-security prison of Guanajay, located in Artemisa, serving a nine-year sentence not set to end until 2030.
Osorbo was transferred to this facility on July 10, just three days after Luis Manuel was released, with no prior notification to his family. According to the Observatory, Osorbo was placed in the exact same cell previously occupied by his San Isidro Movement colleague.
Cubalex described this move as a deliberate act of psychological torture by the Cuban political police against high-profile dissidents.
This Tuesday marked Osorbo's first visit at Guanajay, where he was allowed to bring his belongings into his new cell, as reported by the Cultural Rights Observatory.
The case history indicates a pattern of the regime's non-compliance. In May, State Security agents offered Osorbo the chance to go into exile; he agreed, yet the regime did not follow through and excluded him from any pardons.
The rapper was arrested on May 18, 2021, and sentenced on June 24, 2022, to nine years in prison on charges of assault, resistance, contempt, and defamation of institutions—retaliation for his activism and for co-authoring "Patria y Vida," the anthem of the July 11 protests.
His trial was held behind closed doors: his lawyer was disqualified three days before the proceedings, and the replacement attorney had no time for preparation.
In June 2026, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights declared his detention arbitrary and politically motivated, recommending the annulment of his sentence and demanding his immediate release.
Amnesty International recognizes him as a prisoner of conscience, and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded in January 2022 that his imprisonment was arbitrary.
The Cultural Rights Observatory and Ramos were emphatic in their statement: "We reiterate the demand for the immediate release of Maykel Castillo Pérez and once again denounce the Cuban penal system's exploitation against artists, activists, and critical voices opposing the Cuban government."
As of July 9, 2026, the regime holds over 1,306 political prisoners, a record number, including 40 minors.
Key Questions About Maykel Osorbo's Situation
What is the current status of Maykel Osorbo?
Maykel Osorbo remains imprisoned in the maximum-security prison of Guanajay, serving a nine-year sentence that extends until 2030.
Why was Maykel Osorbo arrested?
He was detained for charges including assault, resistance, contempt, and defamation of institutions, largely due to his activism and role in creating "Patria y Vida," the protest anthem of July 11.
Has the U.S. taken any action regarding Maykel Osorbo?
Yes, the United States has approved humanitarian parole for Maykel Osorbo, although the Cuban regime has yet to act on it.
What is the stance of international organizations on Maykel Osorbo's detention?
Organizations like Amnesty International and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention consider his imprisonment arbitrary, and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has called for his immediate release.