March 15 marks one year since the tragic death of Jorgito, a 50-year-old man murdered in 2024 in the rural town of Aguacate, located in Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba. The incident occurred shortly after Jorgito stumbled upon a hidden marijuana farm in the woods. Jorge Luis Heredia Cala (April 27, 1973-March 15, 2024) was killed around 8 p.m., just before his 51st birthday. Yacel Segura, known as Tatico, confessed to the crime and spent five months in pre-trial detention, yet he remains free as no trial date has been set.
Rumors circulate in the town that Jorgito's discovery of the marijuana farm led to his murder. After mentioning his find, he was killed days later. Despite the confession, the authorities have yet to investigate the marijuana operation or arrest its proprietors. Tatico managed to sway the prosecution with a story that he accidentally killed Jorgito while trying to hit an owl with a stone in a dark alley.
However, the autopsy report contradicts Tatico's claim. Jorgito's death was due to multiple blunt force injuries to the head, not a single stone. His family shared a photo of his injuries with CiberCuba, showing bruises around his eye, nose, and skull, although the sensitive nature of the image led to its non-publication.
Locals are aware that Tatico wasn't acting alone; he was accompanied by another individual known as "Hombre." Tatico is also related by marriage to Julio A. Cuevas Pacheco, a prominent landowner in the area, which might explain the community's reluctance to testify against him, fearing similar fates as Jorgito.
Ana María Iglesias Cañete, a resident, witnessed Jorgito's murder but her testimony was insufficient to keep Tatico imprisoned. When Jorgito discovered the farm, he wasn't certain it was cannabis and took a sample back to Aguacate for verification. In front of witnesses, he confronted Tatico, demanding hush money to keep quiet. Shortly after, he was found dead. The Cuban prosecution, despite declaring a war on drugs, deemed the death accidental.
In the past year, Aguacate has seen three murders, including Jorgito's. A woman was killed by her ex-partner and a 15-year-old girl was strangled by a rapist. The police's inaction led a relative of Jorgito to protest, resulting in his arrest instead of Tatico’s. Media attention eventually led to his release, although he was initially fined 100,000 pesos, later reduced to 1,000.
One year later, there has been no trial, no arrests, and the marijuana farm remains untouched. The only certainty is that Jorge Luis Heredia Cala is dead, and his family has had to flee their home out of fear of meeting the same end.
Questions Surrounding Jorgito's Murder
Why hasn't there been a trial for Jorgito's murder?
Despite the confession, there has been no trial due to alleged manipulation of the investigation and possible involvement of influential figures in the community.
What was the official cause of Jorgito's death?
The autopsy revealed that Jorgito died from multiple blunt force injuries to the head, contradicting the claim of an accidental death by a stone.
Has the marijuana farm been investigated?
As of now, there is no evidence that the police have investigated or dismantled the marijuana farm found by Jorgito.
What other murders occurred in Aguacate in the same year?
Besides Jorgito's murder, a woman was killed by her ex-partner, and a 15-year-old girl was strangled by a rapist.