The reason Chocolate has not been deported to Cuba yet

The reggaeton artist known as Chocolate MC, who has been in prison since April 27, has a deportation order issued since February 2022, but he has not been deported to Cuba because the island's government has refused to accept his repatriation.

Thus reported the journalist Mario J. Pentón, who inquired with immigration attorney Jesús Novo about the current situation surrounding Yosvanis Arismin Sierra Hernández, who remains detained at the Miami-Dade County Pre-Trial Detention Center.

Chocolate entered the United States in 2017 on a cultural exchange visa, but six months later, he was already in trouble with the law.

Since the very year of his arrival in the United States, he has been arrested multiple times for a wide range of offenses, including assault and kidnapping, as well as drug use.

Jesús Novo explained that previously, when a Cuban was issued a deportation order, if the regime did not accept them and the migrant had completed their criminal sentences, they were released into the streets under "a supervision order" until Cuba was willing to accept them.

However, the situation is now different, something that was recently pointed out by the lawyer Wilfredo Allen, who advised Chocolate to self-deport to Cuba as soon as possible, if he doesn't want to end up in a third country.

"Now things have changed a bit because the U.S. government has made agreements with other nations that have accepted some deportees from third countries," noted Novo, who indicated that this might be a possible destination for Chocolate.

“Another option is the Guantanamo Naval Base, where they are also sending criminals with deportation orders,” the lawyer added.

However, Jesús Novo indicated that it is also possible for Cuba to accept him back now, despite not having done so in the past.

When asked about the possibility of the reggaeton artist qualifying for any type of benefit that could save him from deportation due to his open opposition to the Cuban political regime, the lawyer indicated that he would need to demonstrate that he has been a victim of torture or that he could be in the future if returned to the island.

In any case, the lawyer insisted that “Chocolate's future outlook is not very good”, and that “he is definitely facing issues.”

"With a deportation order, all that is needed is for it to be carried out summarily," he emphasized.

However, although he cannot initially be held in ICE custody for more than 90 days, Jesús Novo indicated that there are migrants who have been detained for longer than that.

At the beginning of the month, Chocolate reported inhumane conditions in his place of confinement. Later, he concerned his followers with a cryptic message: “It won’t be long before Jose, Elvis, and El Dany are joined by Choco,” referencing three deceased urban artists.

On the other hand, the reggaeton artist confirmed this Saturday that he has paid his bail and will soon be back on the streets, something that some of his followers have questioned.

In a phone call from jail, shared on Instagram by the influencer Un Martí To Durako, Chocolate confidently stated: “I’ve already paid the bail right now, I’m going for the showdown.”

After being arrested following several days on the run, Chocolate is facing multiple charges, including theft in a hotel room, possession of controlled substances (crack), criminal damage, as well as written threats of murder and bodily harm, and illegal use of a communication device.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chocolate MC's Situation and Potential Deportation