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The tragic death of the young Cuban Elianis Betsalie Martínez, known among her friends as Karen or “La China,” continues to cause shock both in Mexico and in Cuba.
Almost two weeks after the armed attack at the Lacoss bar in Puebla, where he worked, new information confirms his official identification, the procedures for the repatriation of his remains, and details about his life and family background, characterized by economic hardship.
The official identification of Elianis, who was only 20 years old, was carried out remotely, a rather unusual procedure facilitated by the Attorney General's Office (FGE) of Puebla, since her relatives live outside of Mexico.
According to the outlet Imagen Poblana, authorities used a video call via Zoom to carry out the ministerial action.
The victim was identified by her aunt Sarahí González, who resides in Spain and participated in the procedure along with Elianis's grandfather.
Both answered an AM questionnaire (Ante Mortem), which collected physical data, specific signs, and dental history.
Subsequently, a panel of experts in legal medicine, forensic anthropology, forensic odontology, and fingerprint analysis conducted the post-mortem examination.
The compatibility of the information allowed for the issuance of an official human identification report.
The Prosecutor's Office stated that this process took place "ensuring transparency and diligence at all times in the development of the ministerial actions," while also reiterating its commitment to provide support to the family.
Repatriation and a mourning marked by distance
Once Elianis's identity is confirmed, her aunt—who has already taken on the identification due to the impossibility of the mother traveling to Mexico—will begin the process for the cremation of the body and the transfer of the ashes to Banes, in the Cuban province of Holguín, the young woman's hometown.
The repatriation was requested directly by the mother, Sailianisbel González, who lives in a rural community that is difficult to access and lacks the financial resources to travel.
According to La Jornada de Oriente, the mother explained that the phone signal and internet in her area are very limited, which made initial communications difficult.
In a radio interview with the program A Tiempo Noticias, she rejected the reports suggesting that her daughter was a victim of human trafficking and clarified that Elianis had migrated to Mexico "in search of better economic opportunities."
The mother also revealed that her daughter was not working in the early hours of November 18, when the attack occurred, but had gone to the bar to accompany friends.
An atrocious crime: "For not paying"
The events occurred shortly after 3:30 a.m. at the Lacoss bar, located on Puebla's National Avenue.
Six men on motorcycles burst into the place, five of them entered, and after threatening the 14 people present with firearms, they sprayed the establishment with gasoline and set it on fire.
They also burned a vehicle parked out front, presumably belonging to the manager.
The aggressors warned before leaving: "That's what happens for not paying", indicating a possible case of extortion or "protection racketeering."
The incident lasted between 15 and 20 minutes. Elianis died from carbon monoxide poisoning, along with three other people.
A fifth victim died abroad while receiving medical attention, and a sixth lost their life the following day in the hospital.
Among the deceased were a DJ, several waiters, and the young Cuban woman.
The state prosecutor's office has already identified a possible material and intellectual perpetrator of the attack, based on the testimonies of the survivors, and a warrant for arrest is expected to be issued in the coming days.
The context of violence and the background of the Lacoss bar
This attack has reignited concerns about the increasing violence in Mexico, particularly in nightlife venues associated with extortion networks and organized crime.
Despite the fact that the Puebla City Council confirmed that the bar Lacoss had the permits to operate legally, in 2023 the FGE rescued a minor from the place who was allegedly being exploited, which could suggest a history of illegal practices or risky situations for the workers.
The other side of Elianis: Mother, daughter, and family support
Elianis's story has also been a reflection of the many migrant women who, driven by poverty, face life in vulnerable contexts.
According to information gathered by La Jornada de Oriente, the young woman dedicated a good portion of her earnings as a dancer at several nightclubs to sending remittances to her mother and her two-year-old son, Cristopher.
Monthly transfers ranged from 2,000 to 5,000 Mexican pesos, which is between 108 and 272 dollars.
Although his social media profile showcased a life of "luxury," the Prosecutor's Office confirmed that many of the items appearing in his photos belonged to people he was associated with, debunking the notion of a comfortable or superficial lifestyle.
The case of Elianis Martínez has left multiple open wounds. For her family, the tragedy has been experienced from afar, with the anguish of not being able to be physically present.
For the Cuban migrant community, it represents another painful chapter of young people who leave the country in search of a better future, only to find themselves caught in violent dynamics.
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