Television entertainer and dancer Romario Cartagena has died at the age of 26 following an armed attack in the Peruvian port city of Callao.
Cartagena died on Sunday, 25 October, after being struck by gunfire on block nine of Jiron Loreto in Callao. The shooting also left a 27-year-old woman dead and a man injured.
Following the attack, the National Police of Peru opened proceedings to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and to locate those responsible.
The sudden death caused shock and grief among the cast and production team of Mande quien mande, a daytime entertainment programme broadcast by America TV. Cartagena had become a frequent guest on the show, earning the affection of colleagues through his dance steps, high energy, and distinctive sense of humour.
During Monday's live broadcast on 26 October, the show paid tribute to the young performer. Presenter Laura Huarcayo addressed viewers with visible emotion, recounting how the news had affected the entire studio.
Huarcayo said that the previous Sunday had been tragic, announcing that Cartagena was no longer with them. She described him as a super talent, an entertainer, and a friend of the programme who had lost his life the previous day.
Huarcayo recalled his frequent appearances on the broadcast, explaining that he had always arrived with a positive attitude and a determination to bring joy to television audiences, regardless of any difficulties he might have been facing. She added that the team had been left paralyzed with shock upon arriving at the studio, noting that they would never forget his smile and joy.
Tula Rodriguez condemns violence
Co-host Tula Rodriguez expressed indignation over the acts of violence taking place across the country. She lamented that Cartagena had lost his life at a time when he still had many personal and artistic projects left to accomplish.
Rodriguez stated that Cartagena was a 26-year-old who was full of talent, adding that he had possessed a life and a future that God surely had in store for him.
Both Huarcayo and Rodriguez are prominent figures on Peruvian television, having fronted entertainment, magazine, and variety programmes for national networks over many years. Their televised tribute highlighted the impact of the tragedy on the country's broadcasting and entertainment sector.
Role in Callao tropical music
In addition to his television work, Cartagena was an established entertainer, dancer, and teacher connected to the tropical music scene in Callao. He was a member of the musical group Guajiro y su Sello de Primera, performing in live concerts and earning recognition for his stage presence and performance skills.
In Latin American tropical music genres, including salsa and cumbia, an animador serves as a live master of ceremonies and stage animator. The role involves warming up concert audiences, introducing songs, interacting with spectators, and coordinating dance choreography alongside the orchestra.
Musical groups such as Guajiro y su Sello de Primera perform across local concert halls, neighborhood festivals, and dance venues throughout the metropolitan area of Lima and Callao, where live tropical orchestras are a staple of urban entertainment.
Police inquiry into street shooting
The shooting took place in the constitutional province of Callao, Peru's principal maritime gateway. While Callao has a celebrated cultural identity rooted in salsa music and port traditions, several districts have faced ongoing challenges with violent crime and street shootings.
Police investigators are continuing their inquiries into the incident on block nine of Jiron Loreto to clarify the events that led to the shooting. Officers are seeking to identify and apprehend the individuals responsible for the deaths of Cartagena and the 27-year-old woman, as well as the injuries suffered by the surviving man.
