The renowned Venezuelan singer José Luis Rodríguez, “El Puma”, experienced a tense and unexpected moment when he was removed from an American Airlines plane before taking off on a scheduled flight from Ecuador to Miami. The event was recorded in videos that quickly went viral on social networks, generating speculation and confusion. Hours later, the artist himself offered his full version of what happened and clarified what caused the problem.
In the images shared by passengers, José Luis Rodríguez can be seen trying to explain to the public why the crew wanted to evict him. As the singer addressed those present, the pilot approached him and, with a firm tone, ordered him: “Disembark my plane, right now. You can’t do this.
The moment surprised those on board, especially because the singer mentioned feeling physically unwell. Unofficial versions began to circulate immediately, among them that the problem had originated because the artist had placed his luggage in an unauthorized place.
Hours later, the “Puma” posted a video on his Facebook account detailing what happened. He explained that the bag he was carrying contained essential medicines for him, due to the double lung transplant he underwent in 2017. For that reason, he needed to keep it close during the flight.
Initially, he placed the bag under his own seat, but as he recounted, “The chief cabin attendant, Ángel Coronado, arrives and tells me that it can’t be there.
Rodriguez said that he tried to explain the medical situation and that, despite this, he agreed to move the luggage to the right place. However, the exchange became tense and the conflict escalated.
The word that triggered the altercation with ‘El Puma’.
The singer admitted that, frustrated because the problem was not resolved, he muttered the word “pendejada”. An assistant reportedly heard the expression and, thinking he was referring to Ángel Coronado, decided to report him.
This, according to Rodríguez, led the captain to intervene. The artist tried to talk again with the crew, but it was no longer possible to reach an agreement. The situation led to the moment recorded on video, when the pilot ordered him to leave the plane.
The singer was affected when he recalled how he was treated: “They took me out of an American Airlines plane like a criminal.
However, he stressed that he does not hold the entire airline responsible for what happened: “You can’t judge the whole company by one person. But if that person is not suitable to handle the power within such a strong and powerful airline in the world, then I think the power is not in good hands”.
After being evicted, Rodriguez returned to his hotel in Ecuador to recuperate and wait for an alternative flight. He noted that the altercation affected him both physically and spiritually, especially because of his health condition and the way he was treated in front of the other passengers.
The incident has provoked divided opinions: some defend the artist for his medical condition and for considering the pilot’s reaction excessive; others point out that he should have strictly followed the crew’s indications from the beginning.
What is certain is that the episode once again brought to the table the importance of clear communication between passengers and airline personnel, especially when health issues are involved.
Here is the video of ‘El Puma’ explaining the altercation.
Find out more at ‘QueOnnda.com’.
