25/06/2026 04:04 - Internacionales
Alejandro Fabián Águila Jorquera, a 12-year-old boy just weeks away from turning 13, tragically died in the early hours of Tuesday, June 24, 2026 in the commune of San Bernardo, south of Santiago, Chile. The victim, son of Argentine father Fabio Águila, lived in Puente Alto and was remembered as a joyful boy and football enthusiast who admired Lionel Messi and the Argentine National Team.
The tragedy occurred shortly after 1:00 AM on the shoulder of Ruta 5 Sur (Highway 5 South), near Catemito, in the southern Metropolitan Region. The family was returning from Mendoza, Argentina, where they had spent the weekend celebrating Father's Day—a deeply symbolic circumstance that has magnified the emotional impact of this tragedy.
The encerrona (roughly translated as "trapping" or "cornering") is a criminal method that has spread throughout Chile. It involves a group of criminals in a vehicle who intercept and corner a victim's car, forcing them to stop before committing the robbery. In this case, the assailants threatened the occupants with bladed weapons (knives) to force them out of the vehicle.
While the father and aunt managed to exit the vehicle, Alejandro could not unbuckle his seatbelt. The criminals then fled with the stolen car, dragging the boy for approximately three kilometers (nearly 2 miles), causing fatal injuries. This brutal sequence of events has sparked outrage across both nations.
The chief prosecutor of Criminal Analysis for Western Santiago, Leonardo Tapia, reconstructed the sequence of crimes the offenders committed earlier:
| Suspect | Age | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Suspect 1 | 17 years | Detained - prior criminal record |
| Suspect 2 | 17 years | Turned in by stepfather |
| Suspect 3 | 18 years | Detained - prior criminal record |
| Suspect 4 | 21 years | Detained - prior criminal record |
| Suspect 5 | Unspecified | Fugitive - identified |
The Western Prosecutor's Office of the Metropolitan Region announced it will assist in transporting Alejandro's relatives from Mendoza, Argentina, so they can attend the funeral. Three of the accused will be formally charged during today's proceedings.
Chile's President, José Antonio Kast, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and posted on his X account: "I deeply appreciate the work of the Public Ministry and Carabineros who achieved the detention of three individuals involved in the murder of the 12-year-old boy in San Bernardo. I hope they are tried and, if guilty, sentenced to prison for the rest of their lives."
The Minister of Security, Martín Arrau, offered a institutional self-criticism after learning of the fatal outcome, stating: "The State failed", referring to the level of violence and insecurity the country is experiencing.
On Tuesday night, dozens of neighbors gathered at the scene to hold a candlelight vigil in memory of the deceased child and demand justice from authorities. A neighbor identified as Carlos Navarrete denounced the lack of police presence in the area.
Mendoza is an Argentine province located just east of Chile, connected to Santiago via the Andes mountain range. Many families cross the border regularly for tourism, work, or family visits. The Ruta 5 Sur is one of Chile's main highways, running the length of the country. Carabineros are Chile's national police force, and an "off-duty" officer is one not currently on duty.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
