The Cuban singer Lenier Mesa spoke out about the situation of his friend and colleague El Chulo (Abel Díaz Rodríguez), who voluntarily left the United States for Mexico weeks ago after being arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). During an interview, Lenier spoke candidly and shared a reflection that sums it all up: "The past never forgives, brother, the past is always there."
During the conversation, Lenier described El Chulo as "like a brother" to him, promising unconditional support to both the artist and his family.
What stood out to Lenier the most was the contrast between his colleague's present and past. According to him, El Chulo had managed to turn his life around before the arrest: "He had left all the nonsense of the street behind, he had his family, he had his house, he had his life organized." That is why the situation feels especially harsh for him: it's not just about losing a country, but losing everything he had built with effort.
Still, Lenier was clear in stating that past decisions ultimately affected his friend. "El Chulo is like a brother to me, and I will support him in the decisions he makes. Of course, even if he made a bad decision... the decision to self-deport is not one I believe is correct for him, but nonetheless, I support him," he asserted.
The singer-songwriter also reflected on the weight of the material versus the human: "Not everything in life is about money, nor is it about the environment. We Cubans adapt to living anywhere... but it’s not just about living in a place; it’s the process of having created something, of having fought for it, and then suddenly one day, that is gone."
El Chulo was arrested on January 22 at his home in Homestead, Florida, in compliance with a final deportation order issued in 2018, related to an incident involving a firearm in Tampa in 2017 that led to charges of second-degree attempted murder and aggravated assault. The immediate trigger for the arrest was his failure to appear at a immigration appointment. ICE also classified him as an active member of the gang Latin Kings, an allegation that he and his family denied.
After weeks held at the Florida Soft Side South center in Ochopee, and reports of a beating at Alligator Alcatraz, El Chulo chose to sign his voluntary departure to Mexico in early March, thereby avoiding forced deportation to Cuba.
From Mexico, the reggaeton artist has resumed his public activities. He reunited with his partner María Karla —whom he referred to as "the love of my life"— at the airport, announced new music, and shared images from a getaway in Isla Mujeres. "What they did to me was a favor," he stated, and promised to start his career "from scratch" in that country.
The lawyer José Guerrero, who handled the case, described the possibility of El Chulo returning to the United States as "very difficult," which makes Mexico the setting where the artist will need to rebuild his life and musical career.
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