"El Preso" (translation "the prisoner") is a song recorded by Fruko y sus Tesos.

[1] The song was composed by the band's percussionist Álvaro Velásquez.

[2][3] The lyrics are the narration of a prisoner ("preso") serving 30 years.

[5] In an interview, Julio Ernesto Estrada (aka Fruko) said it "became a world anthem of salsa music".

[5] Radio Nacional de Colombia also called the song a "universal hymn of salsa.