The Attorney General's Office of Puebla has confirmed the arrest of Gabriel N., known as "El Tato," who is alleged to be responsible for the armed attack and fire at Lacoss bar, which resulted in the death of 20-year-old Cuban woman, Elianis Betsalie Martínez.
This arrest, achieved through an interagency operation, marks the first tangible step toward justice for her family, who have endured this tragedy from thousands of miles away while living in dire conditions.
Although the Attorney General's Office announced the arrest on Saturday, local journalists, including Juan Carlos Valerio from Imagen Noticias Puebla and the journalism project INCIDENCIA, had already reported that "El Tato" had been apprehended for his alleged involvement in the multiple homicides. They were the first to release images of the suspect taken during the operation.
The crime sent shockwaves through both Mexico and the Cuban migrant community. Elianis, a mother to a young child and the primary financial support for her family in Holguín, had migrated to Mexico in search of better opportunities.
In the early hours of November 18, she became trapped during the attack at Lacoss bar, when six men on motorcycles entered the venue, fired shots, and doused the place with gasoline before setting it ablaze.
According to witnesses, the assailants reportedly warned, "This is what happens when you don't pay," in what appeared to be an extortion attempt.
The young woman died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Alongside her, a DJ and several bar employees also lost their lives.
Her family, living in a rural area of Holguín with limited means, had to identify her body via video call, an unprecedented process that underscored the profound helplessness they faced during the tragedy.
Recently, Mexican authorities issued humanitarian visas to her parents, allowing them to travel to Puebla to complete the repatriation procedures.
The arrest of "El Tato," described by the Attorney General's Office as a result of coordination between state, federal, and municipal authorities, offers a small glimmer of relief for Elianis's family, who still hope that all perpetrators of the crime will be brought to justice.
For the Cuban community in Mexico and on the island, the case serves as a painful reminder of the dangers faced by thousands of young migrants driven by economic necessity and exposed to environments rife with criminal violence.
Key Questions Surrounding the Mexican Bar Attack Case
Who is Gabriel N., also known as "El Tato"?
Gabriel N., alias "El Tato," is the individual arrested for his alleged role in the armed attack and fire at Lacoss bar in Puebla, which led to multiple fatalities, including that of a young Cuban woman.
What were the circumstances of the attack at Lacoss bar?
The attack occurred in the early morning hours when six men on motorcycles entered Lacoss bar, opened fire, and set the place on fire with gasoline. Witnesses reported it as an apparent case of extortion.