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This Wednesday, family and friends will come together for an evening in memory of Geosvany Fidel Rivalta, a driver whose body was found after being missing since June 19.
The posthumous tribute will take place in the municipality of Ranchuelo, Villa Clara, where Geosvany was widely loved for his friendly nature and his record as an exemplary worker.
“Today, June 25, 2025. In the municipality of Ranchuelo, Villa Clara province. We, family, friends, and the community: We hold a vigil not to say goodbye, but to ensure that in this eternal dream, no one disturbs you”, wrote in an emotional message on Facebook Adalberto Fuentes, who was apparently a friend and colleague of the victim.
In her post, Fuentes evoked the joy and appreciation inspired by the young man who was murdered.
“To you, 'Rivaltica' as we fondly called you, to you joyful young man, to you man and friend, to you impeccable worker, we say that you will always be in our hearts… We have faith that you have sown a seed that will soon sprout, and there will be Rivaltica for a long time to come. Farewell brother. Rest in peace, it concluded.
Disappearance and discovery of the corpse
Geosvany Fidel Rivalta, known among his close friends as "Fidelito," was found deceased this Tuesday near the municipality of Jovellanos, in the province of Matanzas, after several days of intensive searching by family, friends, and supportive citizens.
He had disappeared on June 19 while traveling in a rental car from Ranchuelo to Matanzas.
The body, in an advanced state of decomposition, was found in a rural area, leading to the assumption that he was murdered on the same day he went missing, as revealed on social media by the official communicator Henry Omar Pérez.
The victim was driving a gray Peugeot 301, license plate T-023092, which has not yet been found.
A beloved worker and a devastated family
Although it was initially thought that he worked as a taxi driver, it was later confirmed that Geosvany was a professional driver for Transgaviota Centro, a state entity related to tourism.
He lived in the municipality of Caibarién with his pregnant wife and was the son of a driver who was a founding member of that same company.
"He was a hardworking and responsible young man, highly regarded by his family, friends, and colleagues. He was expecting the arrival of a baby... The news of his death, especially so close to the revelation of the gender of his future child, represents an immeasurable tragedy," emphasized Pérez.
"We hope that the investigation, prosecution, and subsequent trial lead to the maximum penalty possible for those responsible for this crime," concluded Henry Omar Pérez, who did not provide any further details about the police investigation.
A search driven by desperation
Since the disappearance was reported, social media has been flooded with posts featuring photos, details of the car, and pleas for help.
The last record of the victim's cell phone placed it in Palmira, Cienfuegos, before it completely disappeared from the radar.
Despite the collective effort, the silence of the authorities during the search was a source of anguish and frustration among their loved ones.
"The criminals involved do not live in another galaxy. They have families. They are someone's neighbors. You, as a family member or neighbor, know that what they are doing is not right," wrote Adriana Rodríguez, a friend of the victim, on social media, urging the community to help identify those involved.
The death of Geosvany has generated an outpouring of sorrow, reflected in the hundreds of comments published in recent hours by friends, colleagues, and anonymous citizens.
"RIP"; "Rest in peace, brother"; "You will always be in our hearts"; "My condolences to the family"; "Eternal light for you, Rivaltica"; "I will always remember you, my friend"; "The sky will shine because you are an angel who lights up the earth"; "One of the noblest boys I have ever known"; "You didn't deserve that, you were too good and noble"; "Justice is in God's hands"; "God will watch over your family"; "RIP, comrade"; "How sad, for God's sake," are some of those expressions of grief.
As of the closing of this report, the authorities have not issued an official statement regarding what happened, nor has it been reported whether any individuals are detained or under investigation.
The disappearance and murder of Geosvany adds to a growing list of similar cases that have occurred during interprovincial travel, in an alarming context of insecurity in Cuba.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Murder of the Tour Driver in Cuba
Who was Geosvany Fidel Rivalta and why has his case caused shock in Cuba?
Geosvany Fidel Rivalta was a professional driver for Transgaviota Centro, a state entity linked to tourism, widely cherished by his community in Ranchuelo, Villa Clara. His disappearance and murder have caused a wave of sorrow and outrage due to his friendly nature and the context of increasing insecurity in interprovincial travel in Cuba.
How and where was the body of Geosvany Fidel Rivalta found?
The body of Geosvany Fidel Rivalta was found in an advanced state of decomposition in a rural area near the municipality of Jovellanos, in the province of Matanzas, after several days of searching by family and friends. It is presumed that he was murdered on the same day he went missing.
What was the community's reaction to the disappearance and murder of Geosvany?
The community reacted with great anguish and frustration, especially due to the authorities' silence during the search. Social media was filled with messages of support and requests for help in finding the driver, reflecting the social impact of the case and concerns about safety in Cuba.
What is known about the investigation into the murder of Geosvany Fidel Rivalta?
Until now, authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the case, nor has there been any information about arrests or individuals under investigation. The community hopes that the investigation will lead to the maximum penalty for those responsible for the crime.
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