A Cuban truck driver was shot dead on Sunday by members of the Chilean Navy's Maritime Police in an incident that occurred at the former Comaco port facility in San Antonio, Valparaíso region.
The incident, involving a man identified as Rogniel Manso, 43 years old, occurred around 3:30 PM, when other drivers alerted security guards about a truck speeding in the parking area, reported the local newspaper El Líder on Monday.
After being reprimanded by a colleague, Manso reportedly pulled out a machete to threaten him and later crashed a truck.
According to the maritime authority, upon arriving at the location, the officials requested the driver to exit the vehicle.
However, Manso, who apparently hails from Fomento in Sancti Spíritus, refused and attempted to run over the naval personnel by steering his truck towards them and colliding with the official vehicle.
In the face of the imminent threat, the officers used their service weapons, firing more than six times, which resulted in the driver's death at the scene.
The investigation was handed over to the Carabineros, with support from the Criminalistics Laboratory (Labocar), by order of the on-duty prosecutor. The presidential delegate of San Antonio, Carolina Quinteros, stated that they are awaiting the progress of the investigations ordered by the Prosecutor's Office to clarify what happened.
Witnesses described Manso's behavior as uncontrolled and "terrifying." Close friends of the deceased indicated that he had traveled to Cuba a few weeks ago and was facing personal issues that "were troubling him."
They also noted that on the day of the incident, he was "out of his mind" and speaking incoherently.
After the incident, a large machete was found inside a bag in the truck's cabin. No injuries to Navy personnel were reported.
For its part, the San Antonio Port Company (EPSA) issued a statement in which it expressed regret over the incident and reaffirmed its commitment to the safety of operations within the facility. "We have been coordinating with the Maritime Authority since the beginning of this contingency and we are collaborating with the investigation of the Public Prosecutor's Office," EPSA representatives stated.
Frequently asked questions about the Cuban truck driver's incident in Chile
What happened to the Cuban truck driver in the port of San Antonio, Chile?
The Cuban truck driver was shot dead by the Chilean Navy's Maritime Police following an incident in which he was driving at high speed, threatened a colleague with a machete, and attempted to run over the officers who tried to stop him.
What was the response of the authorities to the incident in Chile?
The Chilean authorities, including Carabineros and the Criminalistics Laboratory (Labocar), are investigating the case to clarify what happened. The presidential delegate of San Antonio has indicated that the progress of the investigations instructed by the Public Prosecutor's Office is awaited.
What is known about the emotional state of the Cuban truck driver before the incident?
Witnesses and close associates of the truck driver, Rogniel Manso, described his behavior as "uncontrolled" and "terrifying." It was noted that he was dealing with personal issues that were affecting him negatively, and on the day of the incident, he was "beside himself."
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