A surveillance video revealed by NBC Miami shows the moment when Cuban reggaeton artist Chocolate MC, whose real name is Yosvanis Sierra-Hernández, kidnaps a man in a parking lot in Opa-locka, north of Miami.
The images, taken on June 3rd, show the artist pointing a gun at a man. The video leaves little room for interpretation: Chocolate MC confronts the man in the parking lot, then gets into the victim's vehicle, threatens him again, and forces him to drive while he occupies the passenger seat.
The affected individual, identified as Daniel Pérez, had spoken days earlier with Telemundo and revealed a story of panic, helplessness, and fear of dying.
According to the victim, it was not him who approached the singer, but quite the opposite. “I was talking to my wife on a video call, asking her what brand of detergent she wanted me to buy. When he saw me with my phone in hand, he said, ‘You are recording me.’ I replied that I wasn't, that I was speaking with my wife. Then he put the gun to my chest and told me he was going to take my car.”
Daniel Pérez assured that at that moment, a nightmare began. “He asked for my phone, took it from me. Since he couldn't find the car keys, he told me to get in with him and that I should drive.”
Chocolate forced him to drive through different parts of the city, under constant threat. “The more he made me drive, the more he talked about things in his world… I didn’t say anything, I just thought about how to get out of there. The stress and helplessness I felt were so intense that I was going to crash into a pole.”
During the entire journey, the artist —according to testimony— held a white gun pointed at him. “He never told me if it was a toy or not. I saw his finger on the trigger and thought about my family. I couldn't do anything because if he accidentally pulled the trigger, that would be it for me,” he recounted.
Although he emerged unscathed, the young man decided to report Chocolate MC. “I came out fine, but it could happen to a child, an elderly person, someone else. He is someone who doesn’t care about anything. I was simply in the wrong place”, he stated.
Regarding those who claim that the singer needs psychiatric help, Pérez was adamant: "No, brother. He doesn't need mental help. What he needs is to get off drugs. The best place for him to be is in prison. Because at any moment he is going to shoot someone."
Violent history and no bail rights
The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office arrested the singer that same day, around 8:20 p.m. A black and white toy gun was confiscated from him, similar to the one used during the kidnapping, which he himself acknowledged attempting to "scare the victim."
Chocolate was taken into custody at TGK jail, without the possibility of bail, for violating the terms of a previous parole. In court, the reggaeton artist denied being “crazy” and claimed that he feels “safer in prison.”
He also stated that someone would be "paying to have him killed," as—according to him—happened with the reggaeton artist El Taiger.
This is the ninth arrest of the artist in eight years, and the fifth open case in Florida. During these years, he has faced charges of sexual assault, kidnapping, grand theft, domestic violence, and even alleged conspiracy to commit murder.
Due to having violated the conditions of a previous release, bail has been denied, and he will remain in prison until his trial.
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