The Cuban reggaeton artist, El Chulo, has broken his silence from the U.S. immigration detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz. In a phone interview with journalist Maylin Legañoa, he firmly dismissed any connections with the criminal gang Latin Kings, asserting that his sole focus has always been his music career.
"I'm here in Alcatraz," he confirmed at the start of the call. When questioned by Legañoa about the ICE report labeling him as an active member of the Latin Kings and an undocumented immigrant facing deportation, he responded, "The only thing I have to say is that I don't know anything about that. All I have ever done in my life is music."
El Chulo, whose real name is Abel Díaz Rodríguez, reiterated his innocence, denying any involvement with the alleged criminal group.
He further clarified that he never interacted with members of the organization during his legal proceedings in 2017 and noted that although he was detained for nearly a year, he was never sent to an official prison.
Harsh Conditions Inside Detention
During the conversation, the singer described the harsh conditions he endures at the immigration detention facility: "The conditions are extremely poor. They don't provide medication to inmates who bring prescriptions from outside, we don't get them. We can only shower twice a week."
He also highlighted the issue of sleep deprivation: "They don't let us sleep because there are so many bright lights on all the time. It's catastrophic. I think this is the worst experience I've ever been through in my life."
Gratitude Amidst Turmoil
El Chulo took the opportunity to express his gratitude for the support he has received: "To my followers, thank you in advance for your support. To the entire Cuban community, I'm very happy and grateful. Also, to my family and my legal team, who are working closely with me to resolve this situation soon, God willing."
Arrested on January 22, the artist remains in ICE custody awaiting a final decision regarding his immigration status in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions about El Chulo's Detention
What are the allegations against El Chulo?
El Chulo faces allegations of being an active member of the Latin Kings gang and is classified as an undocumented immigrant pending deportation by ICE.
What has El Chulo said about his detention conditions?
El Chulo described the detention conditions as extremely poor, with limited access to showers and inadequate provision of necessary medication.
How is El Chulo's legal team assisting him?
His legal team is actively working with him to resolve his immigration status and secure his release from detention.