The death of a mother and her son once again brought attention to the problem of violence against women and the risk environments that affect families in Guatemala. The victims were located with gunshot wounds on a private property in village Llanos de Morales, Sanarate, El Progreso.
During the program Direct Impactof Guatevisionexperts in security, criminology and mental health analyzed the case and warned about patterns of domestic violence, emotional dependence and the difficulties that victims face in reporting attacks.
The victims were identified as Silvia Ruano Pineda, 28 years oldand his son Eydan Yoan Cante Ruano, 11who died for brain laceration caused by gunshot woundsas confirmed by the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (Inacif).
Investigation points to previous threats
According to the preliminary report of the National Civil Police (PNC)four firearm casings were located at the scene. Relatives told investigators that Silvia Ruano Pineda had expressed problems with her current partner, who had allegedly already threatened to kill her.
A sister of the victim reported that during the early hours of Saturday she received a call for help from Silvia, but hours later she received no response.
Jorge Aguilar, spokesperson for the PNC, stated during the program that the authorities They maintain several lines of research.
“There are several versions at this time, one of them that he had problems with his ex-partner, in this case the father of the minor, and another where he also had problems with his current partner,” he indicated.
He also assured that investigators have already carried out search procedures to locate the main suspect. “There is an investigative work and the alleged person or persons responsible for having committed this criminal act will be found.”he added.
Experts warn of patterns of violence
During the analysis in Direct Impactjournalist and communicator Roxana Sánchez pointed out that the case reflects situations that mainly affect young women in rural areas.
“We know that they are the most vulnerable people in our society, especially in rural areas where machismo still remains,” he said.
Sánchez also highlighted that Silvia Ruano Pineda became a mother during adolescence and related that situation to patterns of violence and dependency. “No woman should be forced to live with X and Y person, except from the age of 17.”, he stated.
The medical expert in mental health Héctor Pérez indicated that it is currently known that brain maturity It occurs after the age of 20, which is why the normalization of teenage pregnancies in some sectors was considered worrying.
“Maturity is not with adolescence“, he explained. Furthermore, he added: “We have to say that this cannot be normal.”, referring to practices that, according to him, continue to be repeated in some communities.
Complaints and protection measures
Lawyer expert in development and security Luis Villegas pointed out that many victims remain trapped in circles of psychological, economic and emotional violence.
“There is psychological violence, there is financial violence, there are different types of violence,” he said. He also indicated that family members and close people should alert the authorities when they detect signs of risk.
For his part, the lawyer and doctor, expert in criminology, Jorge Granados explained that reporting does not always guarantee immediate protection for victims. “The protection measures provided to the woman and the minor are primarily so that she can call a unit of the National Civil Police.”, he noted.
Granados added that some aggressors react violently when they learn of complaints against them. “When the same woman knows that the man has criminal profiles (…) that he better never threaten, I am going to report you; simply act and find a place to shelter”, he expressed.
Authorities continue investigations to determine the circumstances of the double crime that occurred on a dirt road in village Llanos de Morales, Sanarate, El Progreso.
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