The tragic discovery of Alexander Pantoja Bertot, a young electrical engineer from Santiago de Cuba's Electric Company, occurred on Sunday at 12:15 PM in the rural area of Contramaestre after an exhaustive three-day search, as reported by Aris Arias Batalla on Facebook.
Pantoja's body was found in a location known to locals as El Palmar, situated about 1.5 kilometers from the main road. He was discovered sitting on a rock and leaning against a tree, as described by Batalla, the provincial chief of Operations and Rescue for the Red Cross in Santiago de Cuba.
The body was in an advanced state of decomposition, attributed to the time elapsed since his disappearance on Thursday, September 10th. His colleagues had left him inspecting an electrical line supplying the Gota Blanca reservoir, situated between Palma Soriano and Contramaestre.
There were no visible signs of physical assault on the body, and Pantoja's personal belongings, including his backpack, were found intact.
Pantoja's wife confirmed that he had no known health issues, leaving the cause of death to be determined by forensic experts who will conduct an autopsy following the body's transfer to the Contramaestre cemetery.
Intensive Search Efforts
The search operation on Sunday was the most extensive of the three-day endeavor. A multisectoral team from GEOCUBA, including experts Yaimir Rodríguez and Ernesto Roja López, deployed drones equipped with thermal imaging and specialized equipment from early morning.
The operation was led by the Provincial General Delegate and the Second in Command — a Colonel — from the MININT headquarters, alongside officers from Palma Soriano, Contramaestre, and Santiago, as well as members of the Forest Rangers Corps.
The search conditions were harsh, with intense sun and oppressive heat that posed risks of severe fatigue, dehydration, and exhaustion, both for the search teams and potentially for Alexander himself.
Family's Perspective and Concerns
Pantoja's sister, Yaima Bertot, who served as the family's spokesperson throughout the ordeal, had previously mentioned that Alexander's work routine was not unusual: "He often worked like that. They would leave him at a site, he would do his job and either leave on his own or be picked up by his colleagues. There was nothing strange about what he did that day."
Yaima also highlighted that her brother was familiar with the area, having worked there since his time in Contramaestre, and only carried his mobile phone as a valuable item.
The operation, which led to the discovery, involved over 50 electrical workers from Palma Soriano, Contramaestre, and Tercer Frente, canine units, officers of the National Revolutionary Police, rescuers, forest rangers, local farmers, and entities such as ETECSA and the Cuban Red Cross.
Before the tragic outcome was known, Yaima had expressed suspicions of third-party involvement, citing that search dogs kept losing the trail. Upon confirming her brother's death, she demanded justice for those responsible, without specifying whom she referred to.
The official cause of death will be determined once forensic experts complete the autopsy, with results not available at the time of this report.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alexander Pantoja's Case
What was Alexander Pantoja's profession?
Alexander Pantoja was a young electrical engineer working for Santiago de Cuba's Electric Company.
Where was Alexander Pantoja's body discovered?
His body was found in a rural area known as El Palmar, approximately 1.5 kilometers from the road in Contramaestre.
Were there any signs of foul play in Pantoja's death?
The report indicated no visible signs of physical violence, and his belongings were found intact.
Who was involved in the search operation for Alexander Pantoja?
The search involved a multisectoral team from GEOCUBA, electrical workers, canine units, police officers, rescuers, forest rangers, and local farmers.