Public Ministry requests preventive detention against Peruvian for false bomb threat at the AILA

SANTO DOMINGO – The Public Ministry filed formal charges of terrorism against Peruvian citizen Ángel del Pino Cuya (also known as Ricardo Casas), responsible for a false bomb threat that paralyzed the Las Américas International Airport (AILA) on January 6th. The prosecuting body has requested the declaration of complexity of the process and the imposition of preventive detention due to the severity of the impact on national security. According to the record, Del Pino Cuya made a phone call alerting about an alleged explosive device on board Copa Airlines flight CM299, which was already en route to Panama. During the communication, the accused used various contradictory versions, first identifying himself as the manager of a restaurant and claiming that the alert came from a family member, then attributing it to a friend and assuring that he himself came from France.

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This deliberate action caused the forced return of the aircraft, the evacuation of passengers, and the suspension of air operations for approximately three hours. The logistical chaos forced the diversion of multiple flights to the terminals of Punta Cana and Santiago. Despite the inspections by Cesac, the DNI, and other security agencies confirming the absence of explosives, the Public Ministry maintains that the conduct constitutes an act of terrorism. The argument is based on the fact that the action sought to generate collective panic and affect an essential strategic service.

Authorities have compelling evidence including:

• Certified call transcripts and phone records.
• Intelligence reports directly linking the accused.
• Evidence that the defendant attempted to cover his tracks by changing the phone’s chip after the call.

Consequences and Legal Process

The incident not only generated significant economic losses and a massive deployment of resources, but also caused 19 passengers to refuse to resume the flight out of fear. Del Pino Cuya is currently held in preventive detention at San Luis prison. He is charged with violations of Law 188-11 on Airport Security and Law 267-08 on Terrorism. The hearing for the knowledge of the coercive measure is scheduled for this Thursday, February 5, at the Palace of Justice of Santo Domingo Este.