A young Cuban recounted an alarming experience involving a fugitive from Spanish justice, who had been convicted for sexually abusing a minor and had fled to make a new life in Havana.
Content creator Galej Rezz shared on Instagram what he described as "the most chilling thing" he's ever experienced.
The individual, who posed as a professional photographer and conducted a photo shoot with Galej, turned out to be Martiño Ramos Soto, a former Spanish teacher and politician sentenced to over 13 years in prison for sexually abusing a 12-year-old student.
"My heart nearly stopped," recounted Galej, who had reached out to the man known to him as "Martín Soto" after seeing photos taken by him of a friend. They arranged via Instagram to meet on September 19 in El Vedado for a public street photo session.
The man claimed to be Spanish, on vacation in Cuba, with no fixed return date. After the session, Soto met with a friend whom Galej considered "quite young." Later, at Soto's rental place where Galej was changing clothes for a concert, he noticed the man had plans to meet with "two other young girls."
Following the concert, they only communicated through WhatsApp for the purpose of receiving the photos. The shock came when someone sent Galej a photo revealing the man's true identity.
"Folks, I tell you, my heart almost stopped when I found out... it's unsettling to think that someone you interacted with, even visited their home, turned out to be a fugitive," Galej expressed.
The young man emphasized his concern over the fugitive's numerous young female acquaintances and urged his followers to "get to know the people you're planning to meet, for whatever reason... you never know who someone really is."
Fugitive Photographer in Havana
The events shared by Galej align with reports that surfaced this week revealing that Martiño Ramos Soto, convicted in Spain for abusing a student since she was 12, was apprehended in Havana.
According to El Mundo, he had lived in the Cuban capital under the name Martín Soto since July, seamlessly blending into local cultural events, wearing expensive clothes, using professional cameras, and frequently inviting young women to artistic activities.
His discovery began when a Cuban woman residing in Spain thought she recognized him at a party. Subsequently, a member of the Madres Protectoras de Madrid group warned a contact about seeing his real name in documentation. The final trigger was a young Cuban posting a photo on Instagram tagging him, which drew comments from Spain identifying him as a convicted rapist.
Authorities' Surveillance and Capture
Although social media sparked public alerts, the Cuban National Revolutionary Police had already been monitoring him for months. Ramos, aged 50, had escaped Spain, traveling through Portugal, Brazil, and Peru before arriving in Cuba, with authorities aware of his entry. They initially refrained from detaining him but kept him under observation.
He was captured on November 24 as he was planning another escape. Since arriving, he frequented El Vedado, offering free photography sessions to artists, musicians, models, and young creators. Those who interacted with him noted his reluctance to discuss his private life and his eager, almost childlike desire for acceptance.
Being one of Spain's ten most wanted fugitives, the Ourense Provincial Court formally requested his extradition on October 31, after confirming his presence in Havana. The Spanish National Police urged Cuban authorities to maintain close surveillance while the extradition process is underway.
Despite the absence of an active extradition treaty between the countries, diplomatic and police cooperation has been ongoing to facilitate his handover.
Conviction Details
Martiño Ramos Soto received a 13-and-a-half-year prison sentence for repeatedly abusing a 12-year-old student, exploiting a facade of trust and support. The sentencing highlighted the "cruelty and persistence" of the abuse. Cuban state media have not covered this case or confirmed the fugitive's arrest in Havana.
Ramos was a member of En Marea, a former leftist political group in Galicia. His social media posts during his time in Cuba depicted a peaceful life, starkly contrasting his past as an educator and political activist in Galicia.
Understanding the Fugitive Photographer Case
Who is Martiño Ramos Soto?
Martiño Ramos Soto is a former Spanish teacher and politician who was convicted for sexually abusing a 12-year-old student and sentenced to over 13 years in prison. He fled Spain and was living in Havana under a false identity.
How was Ramos Soto caught in Cuba?
Ramos Soto was captured after a series of events led to public identification, including a social media post by a young Cuban. The Cuban National Revolutionary Police had been monitoring him and acted when he planned another escape.
What actions are being taken for his extradition?
The Ourense Provincial Court has formally requested his extradition to Spain. Despite the lack of an active extradition treaty, there are ongoing diplomatic and police efforts to secure his return.