Tucumán Police Officer Charged in Murder of 'El Gordo Ale' Begins Trial

A criminal trial opened in San Miguel de Tucumán on Monday, with the public prosecutor seeking a 13‑year prison term for First Sergeant Claudio Roberto Brandán. Brandán is accused of the aggravated homicide of 31‑year‑old Raúl Alejandro Vargas, known as “El Gordo Ale,” who was shot dead on 29 March 2025 while Brandán was on duty at a security post in the city. The prosecution presented its opening argument, emphasizing the seriousness of the crime given the defendant’s police status and asserting that the shooting was a deliberate act, not self‑defense. The case will feature testimony from up to 27 witnesses, including police officers and forensic experts, as the court proceeds with the oral and public debate.