A couple received heavy sentences this week in the province of Cienfuegos after being found guilty of the premeditated murder of Yoilén de la Caridad Acosta Torriente, an 18-year-old Cuban woman who was killed on January 29, 2023, allegedly for robbery.
The convicted individuals are Alnier Chao Navarro, sentenced to life imprisonment, and his wife, Yarelquis Aguilar Duarte, who was sentenced to 23 years in prison.
"After examining the documentary evidence, expert reports, and the testimonies of fifteen witnesses, including the victim's mother, the judges sentenced Alnier Chao Navarro to life imprisonment, deeming that he committed the act with premeditation while on parole for a previous crime of armed robbery," reported the local newspaper 5 de Septiembre.
The source added that Yarelquis Aguilar Duarte was sentenced to 23 years in prison "for her co-authorship and involvement in the events." However, the court decided to adjust her sentence due to her illness and because it was her first time committing a crime.
The official source clarified that the sentences were imposed according to Article 344, section g) of the Penal Code, which stipulates penalties of "twenty to thirty years of imprisonment, life imprisonment, or death for anyone who kills another person"; in this particular case, with the aggravating factor of "premeditation."
Details of the Crime
During the public trial, it was revealed that after meeting the young woman by chance and exchanging phone numbers, the murderer planned the crime to steal several gold items from the victim and sell them later.
According to his wife, Alnier Chao Navarro arranged a meeting with Yoilén at his residence, where he struck her on the nape and then suffocated her.
After committing the crime, the couple transported the body in a sack hidden in a suitcase to a sugarcane field located on the Cruces-Marta Abreu highway, where they set the body on fire to eliminate any evidence.
However, the trace of verified phone calls led the police to the two murderers.
Just two days after the crime, on January 31, 2023, Chao Navarro confessed his responsibility to the police.
Yoilén's charred remains were found between two rows in a sugar cane field.
The official source noted that besides the imposed sentences, the First Criminal Chamber of the Cienfuegos People's Court "imposed additional sanctions, including prohibiting both culprits from exercising their rights and leaving the national territory," as well as "the confiscation of assets related to a crime that shocked the public."
Rising Violence in Cuba
Following months of continuous reports on social media indicating an increase in all types of violence in Cuba, in July of this year Miguel Díaz-Canel finally confirmed the rise in violence, crime, and addictions in the country, within the context of what he termed an "adverse socioeconomic scenario."
During the closing speech of the third session of the National Assembly's tenth legislature, the leader mentioned stricter legal, criminal, and penitentiary measures, especially in cases involving individuals charged, accused, or convicted of highly socially harmful crimes.
However, despite these "efforts," he acknowledged that "the situation regarding crime, corruption, illegal activities, and social indiscipline remains complex."
FAQs on the Murder Case in Cienfuegos
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the tragic murder case in Cienfuegos and the broader context of rising violence in Cuba.
What were the sentences handed down to the couple?
Alnier Chao Navarro was sentenced to life imprisonment, and his wife, Yarelquis Aguilar Duarte, was sentenced to 23 years in prison.
What was the motive behind the murder?
The motive behind the murder was robbery. The killer intended to steal several gold items from the victim and sell them.
How did the police catch the murderers?
The police traced phone calls that led them to the murderers. Just two days after the crime, Alnier Chao Navarro confessed his responsibility.
What additional sanctions were imposed on the culprits?
The First Criminal Chamber of the Cienfuegos People's Court imposed additional sanctions, including prohibiting both culprits from exercising their rights and leaving the national territory, as well as the confiscation of assets related to the crime.