Laredo: Candidate Virgilio Asto García found dead in irrigation ditch

Virgilio Asto García, a 71-year-old candidate for councilman in Menocucho representing the Gota de Esperanza movement, was found dead in the El Bosque sector of Laredo, Trujillo.

Reports indicate his body was discovered inside a sack in an irrigation ditch by his wife on Monday morning. A death certificate has identified the cause of death as “mechanical asphyxia by submersion,” meaning death was associated with a lack of oxygen caused by immersion in liquid.

The National Police and the Public Ministry are conducting investigations to determine the circumstances of the death and whether it was an accident or caused by third parties. While family members noted that Asto García had previously reported alleged irregular charges at a local toll booth, authorities have not officially established a motive or identified any suspects.