Cuba: Four Years After an Unjust Conviction, Afro-Cuban Artists Remain Imprisoned for Expressing Themselves

Amnesty International has renewed its condemnation of the sentencing of Cuban rapper Maykel Castillo Pérez “Osorbo” and visual artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, marking four years since their convictions on charges linked to peaceful artistic expression and criticism of the Cuban government. The organization described the cases as emblematic of systemic repression targeting dissident artists, particularly Afro-Cuban individuals, and called for the immediate release of both men and other prisoners of conscience in Cuba.

The two artists were sentenced on 24 June 2022 to five and nine years in prison, respectively, for charges including “contempt,” “public disorder,” “insulting national symbols,” and “defamation of institutions.” Their convictions stemmed from participation in peaceful protests, social media activity, and artistic works deemed critical of the government. Amnesty International has classified both as prisoners of conscience, asserting their arrests violated international human rights law protections for free expression.

“The conviction of Maykel Castillo Pérez ‘Osorbo’ and Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara starkly exposed how the Cuban authorities use the criminal justice system to punish dissident artists and silence their right to freedom of expression,” said Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty International. “Their imprisonment also shows how repression can have a particular impact on Afro-Cuban people who publicly challenge those in power. Four years later, Maykel and Luis Manuel continue to suffer the consequences of an unjust sentence that should never have existed.”

Otero Alcántara was released in July 2024 after completing his five-year sentence, but Amnesty International emphasized that his release must be “full and unconditional,” warning against “arbitrary restrictions or threats of being returned to prison.” The organization reiterated its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience in Cuba, including Castillo Pérez “Osorbo,” Saylí Navarro Álvarez, Félix Navarro Rodríguez, Loreto Hernández García, Donaida Pérez Paseiro, Roberto Pérez Fonseca, and teenager Jonathan David Muir Burgos.

Cuban authorities have not publicly responded to Amnesty International’s statements. The cases of Castillo Pérez and Otero Alcántara highlight broader concerns about censorship and political persecution in Cuba, where artists and activists face legal repercussions for dissenting views. Both men are part of a network of creatives who have used their platforms to critique government policies, often under heightened surveillance and harassment.

Amnesty International’s report underscores the intersection of racial and political oppression in Cuba. The organization noted that Afro-Cuban artists like Otero Alcántara and Castillo Pérez, who have openly addressed issues of racial inequality and social justice, are disproportionately targeted. “Repression against Afro-Cuban individuals who challenge power structures reflects a pattern of systemic marginalization,” Piquer said.

The call for release comes amid ongoing international scrutiny of Cuba’s human rights record. In 2023, the UN Human Rights Council expressed concern over the “criminalization of peaceful dissent” in the country, while advocacy groups have documented similar cases of artists and journalists facing charges for their work. Castillo Pérez, a rapper known for his critiques of government corruption and social inequality, and Otero Alcántara, whose installations often address themes of identity and resistance, have become symbols of the broader struggle for artistic freedom in Cuba.

Amnesty International’s latest statement coincides with the 2026 anniversary of the artists’ convictions, drawing attention to the prolonged impact of their sentences. While Otero Alcántara’s release marks a partial resolution, Castillo Pérez remains incarcerated, with his case representing a continued violation of his rights. The organization emphasized that “no real freedom can exist under surveillance, arbitrary restrictions, or threats of re-imprisonment.”

Cuban authorities have previously defended their actions, stating that the charges against the artists were based on “violations of public order and respect for national symbols.” However, human rights groups argue that such charges are routinely used to suppress dissent. The case of Castillo Pérez and Otero Alcántara aligns with a pattern of judicial actions against critics, including the 2021 sentencing of activist Yoani Sánchez to a suspended prison term for “disrupting public order.”

As the international community continues to monitor Cuba’s treatment of dissidents, Amnesty International has urged governments and human rights bodies to intensify pressure on Havana. “The Cuban authorities must immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners of conscience,” Piquer said