In Mendoza, Argentina, two inmates named Enrique Acosta Vega and Víctor Bravo Morón successfully escaped from a temporary detention center in Tunuyán while waiting to be transferred to a prison. The incident occurred around 11 AM, shortly before their scheduled transfer to the San Felipe prison in Mendoza city. The prison authorities were caught off guard by the escape, prompting an urgent response to recapture the fugitives.

During the operation to apprehend the escapees, the chief of the detention facility, Pablo Rivero, suffered a medical emergency. Despite the swift response of his fellow officers who transported him to Scaravelli Hospital, medical personnel pronounced him deceased on arrival, marking a tragic outcome for the law enforcement community. Rivero, aged 43, had dedicated 21 years of service to the penitentiary system, underscoring the risks faced by personnel in managing and securing inmates.

This incident highlights significant challenges within the Argentine penal system, particularly concerning the safety of detention facilities and the handling of prisoner transfers. The escape raises serious questions about security protocols and the preparedness of the authorities to handle such unexpected events, sparking a broader conversation about prison reforms and the necessary measures to enhance safety and prevent future incidents of this nature.