LULAC CALLS FOR FLORIDA INVESTIGATION INTO DEATH OF LATINO AIR FORCE CADET
Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Demands Full Review of Mishandled Case of Alexander Bello Ortiz
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) today urged Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Mark Glass to order a special and independent investigation into the suspicious death of Air Force ROTC Cadet Alexander Bello Ortiz, whose case was hastily ruled a suicide despite mounting evidence that key procedures were mishandled and critical evidence ignored. LULAC National President and Chairman of the Board Roman Palomares called the death of the young cadet "a test of justice and transparency for all Floridians."
"The people of Florida and the family of Alexander Bello Ortiz deserve nothing less than the full truth," said Palomares. "We cannot stand by when a promising Latino youth, a disciplined Air Force ROTC cadet, dies under questionable circumstances, and the investigation falls short of professional standards. LULAC is calling for accountability, transparency, and respect for the rule of law. Justice cannot depend on convenience or shortcuts."
LULAC cited serious irregularities in the case, including the failure to collect critical forensic evidence, the dismissal of reported video footage showing a possible struggle, and a premature suicide ruling despite a clean toxicology report and no history of mental illness. The organization noted that these lapses violate multiple standards set by the National Association of Medical Examiners and undermine public confidence in local law enforcement.
"As a veteran myself, I know the caliber of young men and women who choose to serve this nation," said Lawrence 'Larry' Romo, LULAC National Vice President for Military and Veterans Affairs. "Alexander embodied the best of that spirit—discipline, honor, and service. His family, and every family of a service member, deserves to know that when tragedy strikes, the investigation is complete, impartial, and free from bias. We will not rest until that standard is met."
LULAC is calling upon FDLE to conduct an independent review of the entire case file, including the forensic and investigative procedures used by the Daytona Beach Police Department and the Office of the Medical Examiner. The organization also urged the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division to monitor the review for compliance with federal due-process and equal-protection standards.
"This case transcends one family—it speaks to whether justice applies equally when the victim is Latino," Palomares added. "Our nation's credibility depends on the answer."
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About League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation's oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization. Founded in 1929, LULAC is committed to advancing the rights and opportunities of Latino Americans through advocacy, community building, and education. With a growing network of councils nationwide, LULAC remains steadfast in its mission to protect and empower millions of Latinos, contributing daily to America's prosperity. For more information about LULAC and its initiatives, please visit https://lulac.org/.