The Colombian Immigration Authority issued an official statement detailing the incident involving Cuban singer Amaury Gutiérrez and his manager Yasir Pérez early Wednesday morning, when both were denied entry into the South American nation for different reasons.
Upon arriving in Miami on Wednesday, after being detained for 24 hours at Cartagena Airport in Colombia, Amaury Gutiérrez and Yasir Pérez spoke to the press. "I get aggressive with communists, I can't help it, no one is going to intimidate me," Amaury declared to reporters gathered at Miami Airport.
"They didn't want to let my manager in, and they didn't want to let me in because there was an exchange of words. I raised my voice a bit—not much—but they got furious when I said, 'You treat me just like a communist would.' That's when they got angry and told me, 'Now you can't enter, and we're going to detain you,'" the artist recounted.
"I think they exaggerated; their response was overly severe," Amaury responded when asked about the reaction described as violent by Colombian Immigration in their statement. "You act like a communist because you are mistreating people here. I know you are an immigration officer, and I owe you all my respect, but don't mistreat me. I've passed through here a thousand times," he reportedly told the officer in question.
Political Overtones?
When asked if the incident might have a political underpinning, Amaury said, "I don't know," but added that it wouldn't surprise him. "I always think the worst. I wouldn't doubt that they were watching us and laughing, the G2 people. I wouldn't doubt it," he noted.
He criticized the conditions they were subjected to, stating they were placed in a room without basic amenities and went many hours without water. "I experienced a kind of 24-hour political imprisonment," he affirmed.
The singer emphasized that this was the first time in his career he had encountered such treatment and questioned whether Colombia was still the same country he once knew. "First time this has happened to me. What is happening in Colombia? Is it still the same country as before? That’s my question. This has never happened to me before. I am a Gold Record artist in Colombia. There are artists there who have won Grammys with my songs. The people there adore me; they've always shown me love... never this kind of treatment," he asserted.
He clarified that he holds great respect for Colombia and Colombians. His manager, Yasir Pérez, clarified that he had his valid U.S. passport with him. "If I hadn't shown this passport here, at Miami International Airport, I wouldn't have been able to leave. So, their argument doesn't hold," he said regarding the documentation issue raised by Colombian Immigration.
The musician and his manager mentioned that the only person who assisted them was a representative from American Airlines. Amaury Gutiérrez stated that a Colombian artist tried to intervene on their behalf, but the attempt was unsuccessful. They remain hopeful that they can perform in Colombia in the near future.
What Did Colombian Immigration Say?
The Colombian Immigration Authority's official statement recounts the incident occurring around 12:30 a.m. at the Rafael Núñez Airport in Cartagena after the arrival of American Airlines flight 1145, carrying the artist and his manager.
The statement explains that during the immigration control process, Yasir Pérez did not present the required documents for entry, leading the Colombian immigration officer to enforce the country's immigration rules and deny him entry. The statement adds that Amaury Gutiérrez abruptly interrupted the procedure, loudly expressing his intention to accompany Pérez if he was denied entry.
The authority claims Amaury Gutiérrez threw his passport brusquely and exhibited intimidating behavior, prompting airport security and National Police intervention. "This provocative behavior from Gutiérrez created a tense situation with the officers at the control point, necessitating their intervention to maintain order," the statement reads.
As a result, Yasir Pérez was denied entry under Article 70 of the current immigration regulations for lacking proper identification documents. Amaury Gutiérrez was also denied entry due to "disruptive and disrespectful behavior." The statement clarifies that a third person traveling with them was allowed entry as their documents were in order and they were not involved in the incident.
Key Questions about Amaury Gutiérrez's Expulsion from Colombia
Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers regarding the incident involving Amaury Gutiérrez and his manager Yasir Pérez's expulsion from Colombia.
Why were Amaury Gutiérrez and Yasir Pérez denied entry into Colombia?
Yasir Pérez was denied entry due to not presenting the required documentation, and Amaury Gutiérrez was denied entry for what Colombian Immigration described as disruptive and disrespectful behavior.
Did the incident have any political motivations?
Amaury Gutiérrez suggested that it might have political undertones but stated that he couldn't be certain.
How did Amaury Gutiérrez describe his treatment in Colombia?
Amaury described it as a "24-hour political imprisonment," criticizing the lack of basic amenities and the harsh treatment he received.
Will Amaury Gutiérrez be able to perform in Colombia in the future?
Amaury Gutiérrez and his manager remain hopeful that he will be able to perform in Colombia at a later date.