The case of the Italian citizen Mario Pontolillo, accused of being involved in a multiple hit-and-run in Havana during the early hours of August 25, continues to generate shock in Cuban public opinion, not only due to the seriousness of the incident but also because of the profile of the accused, who has been described by some as a violent and problematic man.
Amid speculation, the mother of Pontolillo's daughter - with whom he had a relationship for several years - provided statements to journalist Mario J. Pentón in a brief phone interview where the woman appeared rather evasive and surprised by the case.
"I'm at a loss for words."
The woman, who resides in Cienfuegos, stated that she had no information about what happened and expressed ignorance about the current life of her ex-partner.
"Let's see, I just found out, I don't know much about the case," she began.
Consultada sobre los rumores de que Pontolillo era violento o adicto al alcohol y las drogas, negó rotundamente esas acusaciones: “No, no, no es así, para nada.”
"This is something new, and people are going to speculate a lot. You know how social media is," he added.
A life different from that of Pontolillo
The woman -named "Alegna"- wanted to make it clear that she has not been in contact with Pontolillo since the separation, and that her life is completely separate from that of the accused.
“I am here in Cienfuegos, that was in Havana. I am, you understand?, unaware of all those things,” she indicated.
“Como dijiste, yo fui la pareja de Mario, yo soy la mamá de la hija de Mario y yo vivo aquí en Cienfuegos. Eso fue en La Habana", dijo en referencia al atropello.
She insisted that she has no details about what happened, and that she is also waiting for information.
“I don’t know, look, I live here, he lives there, I don’t know what he has done lately, I couldn’t tell you anything, I really can’t. I’m just at a loss for words,” she concluded, bringing an end to her evasive demeanor.
While the young woman distances herself from the case, neighbors in Cienfuegos have presented a very different image of the accused.
According to reports to Pentón, Pontolillo had a history of violence and excessive alcohol consumption, and his behavior had caused conflicts in the past.
On the other hand, the sister of the only fatality in the accident told Pentón that a police officer informed her that Pontolillo claimed he had been “threatened with death and pursued,” and that he “went out to kill.”
Pointed out by the Prosecutor's Office as the responsible party
After more than a week of silence and speculation, on Thursday the Cuban regime finally revealed the identity of the accused in the incident that occurred in the early hours of August 25, which cost the life of Mairovis Valier Heredia, a mother of three.
According to a statement from the Attorney General's Office of the Republic, Pontolillo, 56 years old and a permanent resident on the island, remains in provisional custody and is prohibited from leaving the country, under investigation for a “deliberate assault on individuals” on the streets of Centro Habana and Old Havana.
The Prosecutor's Office stated that efforts are being made to complete the investigation and that it will request sanctions proportionate to the severity of the events.
For days, the official silence fueled rumors and suspicions of cover-up, especially after the investigation by 14ymedio that initially pointed to another Italian businessman with close ties to the power.
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