The professional boxer Yuriorkis Gamboa, a resident of the U.S. but who has been stranded in Cuba for over a year and a half after fatally hitting a person in a traffic accident, has finally been acquitted in the trial for the case.
In a video posted by the boxer on Instagram, he explained that the trial took place on July 11, and that one month and one day later, on August 12, the judge issued the ruling and declared his acquittal.
"I had never felt guilty. I regret the deceased person, the situation of the relatives," said Gamboa, who noted that a fair process was carried out without violating the waiting periods that have been difficult for him, as he has been stranded on the island since December 31, 2022, when the incident occurred.
"A fair process was carried out, a process with its determined timeframe. There was no need to bribe anyone, as some have said on social media. It took a little longer, for me it was a strong wait, but the right thing was done and it was finally proven that I was not at fault," emphasized the Guantanamo boxer.
Regarding the accident in which a person was run over, Gamboa stated that "definitely in two seconds it is impossible for a driver to avoid an accident at a distance of ten meters."
He specified that in 2022 the laws changed in Cuba - referring to the new Penal Code - and according to the new laws, those who are not guilty of an accident do not serve prison time.
Gamboa -who fervently thanked his lawyer- said that he hopes to arrive in Miami by the end of August and that he looks forward to resuming his career as a professional boxer as soon as possible.
For now, the 42-year-old fighter is focused on sharing and celebrating his acquittal with the people who love him.
The accident
Yuriorkis Gamboa -who has lived in the U.S. for years- was driving a rental car on December 31, 2022, when he fatally struck a pedestrian in the Songo la Maya tunnel, in Santiago de Cuba.
The Olympic champion from Athens and four-time world champion in three different divisions was immediately arrested and sought legal assistance to present his case.
He was released on bail on March 1, 2023, but with the limitation of not being able to leave the country until the trial takes place.
Upon leaving the prison in Santiago de Cuba, Gamboa moved to his home in Guantánamo to wait for the Prosecutor's Office to inform him of the trial date.
In April of this year, it was revealed that the Cuban government had confiscated his passport to ensure his stay in the country.
As previously indicated, one of the circumstances that the boxer had in his favor was that the stretch of road where the accident occurred was not illuminated. Relatives of the boxer stated that at the time of the incident he was not under the influence of alcohol or any other illegal substance.
In 2006, Gamboa escaped from a physical training in Venezuela, along with Odlanier Solís and Yan Barthelemy. They went to Colombia and, after a brief stay in Germany, arrived in Miami.
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