The Argentine justice system has ordered the reopening of the criminal case involving a Cuban woman who accused the entourage of football legend Diego Armando Maradona of human trafficking. The First Chamber of the Federal Criminal Cassation Court issued a new ruling on Tuesday in the complaint filed by Mavys Álvarez, who was brought to Argentina when she was just 16 years old.
Now, the case will focus on the officials who allowed her entry into the country as a minor without parental approval. The complaint was previously dismissed in March 2022 by Judge Daniel Rafecas, who decided to archive it due to the statute of limitations on the incidents involving Maradona in Argentina. This decision was upheld by the Federal Court of Argentina months later.
However, this week, judges Daniel Petrone, Diego Barroetaveña, and Carlos Mahiques have ruled that the case should be sent back to Judge Rafecas, recommending that he "exhaust all measures of proof" and focus the investigation on those responsible for Mavys Álvarez's entry into the South American nation.
"Under these conditions, considering the claim made by the plaintiff in this regard, it appears necessary to clear up doubts regarding the possible involvement of public officials, for which it is appropriate to deepen the investigation and exhaust the study of that aspect based on the measures of proof deemed pertinent," states the ruling obtained by Infobae.
Now, Carlos Ferro Viera and Gabriel Buono, friends of Maradona who regularly attended his parties and trips, will be investigated again. However, Guillermo Coppola, Maradona's representative, as well as Mariano Israelit and Omar Suárez, friends who accompanied him several times to Cuba, are spared from a new investigation.
The Cuban woman had accused them of convincing her, as a minor, to accompany the Argentine star during his stay at the La Pradera rehabilitation center in Cuba. This relationship led her to suffer sexual abuse, drug addiction, and an unauthorized breast surgery performed in Argentina.
"Under the same circumstances, they administered drugs to me in the country, which led to an addiction that lasted for many years. The consequences of what I experienced persist to this day," she denounced.
Now 37 years old, Mavys Álvarez asserts that she was a victim of an abusive relationship with Maradona, who controlled her, taking advantage of her adolescent status and his backing from Fidel Castro.
"During my stay in Argentina in 2001, where I remained for two and a half months, I was not allowed to leave the hotels I stayed at alone, nor the apartment located in Buenos Aires where I stayed, with people always ensuring I remained there. During my entire stay in the country, I could only engage in two activities of my choice (one shopping trip and one visit to the zoo), though always accompanied by someone until my return," she emphasized in the proceedings.
Key Questions About the Reopened Case Involving Mavys Álvarez and Maradona’s Entourage
Given the complex nature and serious allegations in the case of Mavys Álvarez against Diego Maradona's associates, several key questions arise. Below, we provide answers to some of the most pertinent queries regarding this high-profile investigation.
Why was the case initially dismissed by Judge Daniel Rafecas?
The case was dismissed by Judge Daniel Rafecas in March 2022 because the events related to Maradona in Argentina were considered to have passed the statute of limitations.
Who are the individuals being re-investigated in this case?
Carlos Ferro Viera and Gabriel Buono, both friends of Maradona who frequently attended his events and travels, are being re-investigated. Others like Guillermo Coppola, Mariano Israelit, and Omar Suárez are not subject to new investigations.
What specific abuses did Mavys Álvarez report?
Mavys Álvarez reported enduring sexual abuse, drug addiction, and an unauthorized breast surgery during her time with Maradona in Argentina.