Soria's son breaks silence amidst 'family, institutional tragedy'

The family or recently deceased Río Negro governor Carlos Soria broke silence after the judge investigating the case, Juan Pablo Chirinos, confirmed that the victim’s wife, Susana Freydoz, had been charged with the murder of her husband. 

Despite not addressing Freydoz’s current situation directly, the former governor’s son and current mayor of the Río Negro town of General Roca, Martín Soria, attended a memorial mass there and afterwards thanked the province’s population “for their outpouring support.”

Clearly distraught, Soria thanked all those who trusted his father “in a moment in which a disgraceful misfortune has created a family and institutional tragedy.” 

With his father Carlos dead, current vice-governor Alberto Weretilneck is scheduled to step up and officially take office as the province’s new governor. The inauguration ceremony is expected to take place at the provincial Legislature on Tuesday at 6 pm.

Cabinet Chief Juan Manuel Abal Medina, Interior Minister Florencio Randazzo and national senator Miguel Ángel Pichetto, a Río Negro native, have all confirmed their attendance. 

It will be the first time that Río Negro enacts a provision added to the provincial Constitution in 1988, stating that in case of the governor’s death, resignation, dismissal from office or inability to fulfill their duties, it is the vice-governor’s responsibility to finish the gubernatorial term.

In a radio interview, Martín Soria confirmed he would be attending the swear-in ceremony, and promised he would continue working hard for his town and province. 

“We will not hesitate. Carlos Soria is no longer with us but his project is still standing and institutionalism is secure.”

“We will work twice as hard, just like he wanted. That’s what we’re going to do in General Roca and Río Negro,” he concluded.