A Cuban citizen was arrested this Tuesday, accused of being part of the criminal gang that shot and killed three people who intended to buy $100,000 last weekend in La Paz, Bolivia, authorities from that country reported. Yarinel Martínez Maqueira, also known as Yari, was detained for his alleged involvement in the triple homicide along with three other suspects, identified as Omar and Norman Copaja Chuquimia and Jorge Catalán Osinaga.
The incident occurred on Saturday night in the town of Unduavi, along the road connecting the department of La Paz with Los Yungas. The four alleged perpetrators transported their victims in a minibus under the false promise of selling them foreign currency "at an accessible price," according to Eduardo del Castillo, the Bolivian Minister of Government, during a press conference on Tuesday where the suspects were presented.
The victims were identified as Verónica Aguirre, 34; Domingo Santos, 33; and José Luis Vargas, 27. All three sustained gunshot wounds to the head, and "they were executed from the skull forward," as stated by Del Castillo. They also had knife wounds on their necks inflicted after their deaths.
Details of the Crime
Authorities reported that around 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, the victims left their home in the San Agustín area of El Alto in a vehicle driven by one of the suspects to conduct the monetary transaction. Their families reported them missing on Sunday.
Apparently, Omar Copaja contacted the three individuals to carry out the purchase of a large sum of dollars at a rate of 7.20 bolivianos in Los Yungas. Amid a worsening currency shortage in Bolivia, many people are turning to the informal market to acquire foreign currency. The official exchange rate is 1 dollar to 6.96 bolivianos, but due to the scarcity, it has soared to over 12 bolivianos in the black market, sometimes even doubling the official value.
The four suspects convinced their victims to stop en route to Los Yungas under the pretext of blessing the money they were going to exchange. In a place known as "Las Tres Marías," they executed them to rob them.
The bodies of the victims were discovered Monday morning inside a wooden and corrugated iron shed used as a storage facility by a local farmer. Upon arriving, the farmer initially thought they were sleeping and tried to wake them, only to realize they were dead upon seeing the blood. He and his wife then alerted the police.
Omar Copaja was captured in the department of Potosí while allegedly attempting to flee Bolivia. Authorities believe he persuaded one of the victims to conduct the transaction and also drove the minibus.
Martínez, who has had legal residency in Bolivia since 2023 and has a five-year-old son born in the country, was detained at his home in the Ciudad Satélite area of El Alto. Police found a 9mm firearm used to execute the victims at his residence.
Catalán, who was performing construction work at the scene, was also arrested there. Finally, the police apprehended Norman, the fourth suspect, in El Alto.
During the press conference, the Bolivian Minister of Government stated, "We have sufficient evidence, indications, and proof demonstrating that they are the perpetrators. They are under investigation and will be sentenced for the crime of murder."
Triple Homicide in Bolivia: Key Questions Answered
Here, we address some of the pressing questions about the recent triple homicide in Bolivia involving a Cuban national.
Who were the victims in the triple homicide in Bolivia?
The victims were Verónica Aguirre, 34; Domingo Santos, 33; and José Luis Vargas, 27.
What was the motive behind the killings?
The suspects allegedly lured the victims with the false promise of selling them foreign currency at a good exchange rate, only to execute them and steal the money.
Where did the incident take place?
The crime occurred in the town of Unduavi, on the road connecting La Paz with Los Yungas in Bolivia.
What evidence do the authorities have against the suspects?
Authorities have sufficient evidence, including a firearm found at the residence of one of the suspects, linking them to the crime.