Tragic Discovery: Teen's Body Found in Manzanillo River Sparks Controversy

The lifeless body of Carlos Alberto Pérez Escala, a 15-year-old boy, was discovered this week in Manzanillo, located in the Granma province. An official Facebook profile claimed that he drowned while swimming in a river, but this account has been heavily contested by many locals and family members who insist the teenager was murdered.

The Facebook page, "Entérate con Aytana Alama," reported the recovery of the body in the Vuelta al Caño community, describing the death as a "drowning incident while swimming in the river."

The post also advised caution regarding the circulating information about the incident, urging, "Avoid spreading rumors, speculations, or unverified reports, as they not only misinform but could also increase the family's suffering."

However, numerous comments have questioned both the described circumstances and the location where the teenager was reportedly found.

Locals Dismiss Drowning Claims

"The only truth in your post is the boy's name, get your facts straight," one user responded to the information shared by the official account.

Another commentator was more direct: "That's not how it happened; he was killed, don't try to change the facts."

Several individuals alleged that the body wasn't found in Vuelta al Caño but in a different area known as El Palmar, specifically at a place called "el paso del sapo."

"He was lured there and it happened at 'el paso del sapo' not in the vuelta but in the palmar," stated a participant in the discussion.

Criticism was also directed at the shared information. "With that profile picture, we know who you work for, stop spreading misinformation, it's known he was killed," another user asserted.

A woman, claiming to be the teenager's cousin, also disputed the accident narrative, stating, "He was killed, and it's true he was lured and they finished him off, EPD beautiful cousin."

The murder accusations and circumstances mentioned by commenters remain unverified by independent sources.

Reports of Possible Arrests and New Allegations

Crime reporter Niover Licea, who runs the platform NiO Reportando Un Crimen, later shared new details on Facebook, sourced from individuals close to the teenager's family.

According to his report, three individuals have allegedly been detained concerning the boy's death and are currently held in police facilities in Bayamo.

There has been no official confirmation of these supposed arrests, nor has the information been independently verified.

The reporter also gathered accounts suggesting that the death might be linked to a suspected religious ritual. This hypothesis arises from testimonies sent to his platform and lacks support from forensic results or known official conclusions.

In the same report, a neighbor's claim of religious ceremonies conducted in homes within a Manzanillo neighborhood, including one allegedly on the day of the teenager's death, was mentioned.

The allegations shared by the reporter add to the suspicions circulating on social media, but they do not establish that a homicide occurred or identify potential suspects.

Currently, there is no official information on the cause of death, the results of any potential autopsy, or the status of the investigations.

Among the comments on the case, there are calls for clarity on the events. "There isn't a media outlet shedding light on what's happening in our community with such violence, indiscipline, and so many things harming us," lamented one user.

Others demanded that "the facts be clarified," expressing their insistence on "we want justice" for the teenager's death.