Cuba Archive - Case 11407

Case ID: 11407

Title: N/A

First name: Raydel

Last name: Vidal Caignet

Suffix: N/A

Aliases: N/A

Name also reported as: N/A

Age: 27

Gender: Male

Date of Birth: N/A

Civil Status: Single

Date of death/disappearance: Day:24 / Month:1 / Year:2019

Citizenship: N/A

Last known address: N/A

Last known city: Santa Isabel de Nipe, Guaro, Mayarí

Last known province-TOD: Holguín

Last known province current: Holguín

Last known country: Cuba

Location death-address: Loma del Guinche, Pinares de Mayarí

Location of death - city: N/A

Location of death province - at TOD: Holguín

Location of death province - current: Holguín

Location of death - country: Cuba

Trial held?: No

Docket Number: N/A

Sentence details: N/A

Arrest or detention at time of death: No

Date of arrest: N/A

Imprisoned/Detained: Location: N/A

How long imprisoned/detained: N/A

Death attributed to: Castro regime

Death attribution detail: Policeman Alexeis Gutierrez Herrera

Associated Event: N/A

Case description:

Was on horseback with three people with the intention of buying coffee from local farmers and they were surprised by four police officers. The authorities pursue the purchase of coffee beans in the area, since the peasants are forced to sell 80% of their harvests to state companies and the purchase for resale is criminalized. The four tried to flee and one of the policemen shot and hit Vidal from behind, who fell from his horse and died instantly. The bullet entered his back, pierced his right lung and lodged in his spine. The authorities issued a summary death certificate for the family that did not record the cause of death. According to the official report, Vidal had pulled a machete from the policeman, who shot him in self-defense. The three citizens who were with Vidal were never called to testify about the events despite the fact that they were arrested. One told Vidal's family, but is afraid to make an official statement for fear of reprisals, another left the country permanently and the other refuses to give his testimony for fear that the horse confiscated by the police authorities will not be returned to him on the day of the death. the facts. The officer who killed Vidal continued to exercise his functions.
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Andaba a caballo con tres personas con a intención de comprar café a los campesinos del lugar y fueron sorprendidos por cuatro oficiales de la policía. Las autoridades persiguen la compra de café en grano en la zona, ya que los campesinos están obligados a vender el 80% de sus cosechas a empresas del Estado y se criminaliza la compra para la reventa. Los cuatro intentaron huir para evitar ser atrapados y uno de los policías disparó y alcanzó a Vidal por la espalda, quien cayó del caballo y falleció al instante. El proyectil entró por la espalda, le atravesó el pulmón derecho y se alojó en la columna. Las autoridades emitieron una certificación de defunción en extracto para la familia que no consigna la causa de la muerte. Según el informe oficial, Vidal le había sacado un machete al policía, que le disparó en defensa propia. Los tres ciudadanos que se encontraban con Vidal nunca fueron llamados a declarar sobre los hechos a pesar de que resultaron detenidos. Uno hizo el relato a la familia de Vidal, pero teme declarar oficialmente por temor a represalias, otro salió definitivamente del país y el otro se niega a dar su testimonio por temor a que no le devuelvan el caballo decomisado por las autoridades policiales el día de los hechos. El oficial que mató a Vidal continúo ejerciendo en sus funciones.

Sources: Conflict of Evidence:

Violation Status: Reported: Highly likely / Highly reliable source(s)

Cause of Death: - Extrajudicial killing

Occupations: N/A

External Files: - Document : Certificado de defuncion

Relatives in Archive: N/A

Victim Type: - Civilian casualty / Bystander

Affiliations: N/A

Other Victims Same Event: N/A

Case Record - Raydel Vidal Caignet