Justice sought in multiple high-profile death investigations

Multiple legal investigations and public demonstrations are unfolding across the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Argentina regarding high-profile deaths.

In the Dominican Republic, the Movimiento Justicia Jet Set held a vigil at the Palacio de Justicia de Ciudad Nueva. Families of the victims of the Jet Set nightclub collapse are demanding that the charges against Maribel and Antonio Espaillat be upgraded from involuntary manslaughter to voluntary homicide with eventual intent, citing knowledge of the building's structural deterioration. They claim the death toll is 237, including a pregnant woman.

In Ecuador, the body of Polish activist Mónika Silva is being repatriated to Poland following her death in Montañita. Silva, known for her anti-corruption activism, was found dead in June. While authorities initially investigated the possibility of suicide, the case is now being treated as a suspected political femicide after an autopsy revealed death by mechanical asphyxiation. Her family and legal teams, including CEPAM, are seeking further investigation through a second autopsy.

In Las Heras, Argentina, investigations into the death of 22-year-old Martina Ríos Fernández have shifted from an accidental fire to a qualified homicide investigation. Fire department forensics determined the fire was intentionally set. Her partner remains hospitalized under police custody. The victim's family is seeking to have the case prosecuted as a femicide.