Fourth suspect provisionally detained in murder of Swiss-Spanish businessman

Jesús Vergara, identified by prosecutors as the fourth suspect in the killing of Swiss-Spanish businessman Miguel González, will remain in provisional detention while the investigation continues.

Judge Eric González ordered the measure on Saturday, Sept. 5, after an approximately four-hour hearing at the Plaza Ágora Accusatory Criminal System. The judge legalized Vergara’s arrest and accepted the charges presented against him.

Claimant’s lawyer Martín Caicedo said Vergara faces charges of aggravated intentional homicide and attempted robbery. Evidence presented at the hearing allegedly showed that Vergara was driving the vehicle that struck the back of González’s car.

The killing took place on April 15, 2026, in Llano Bonito, in the Juan Díaz district. González, 60, was traveling in a gray Kia Sportage when the vehicle came under a burst of gunfire. Forensic investigators from the Public Ministry found more than 15 shell casings on the road and documented numerous bullet impacts on the car. González suffered gunshot wounds to his back, hip and thigh before losing control and crashing into a pole.

González co-founded and served as chief executive of Firmus Financial Inc., a Panamanian brokerage. The main theory points to an attempted robbery, but prosecutors still must determine how the attack was planned, who took part and each suspect’s level of responsibility. Caicedo said other people could be involved and that investigators must clarify whether someone provided information about González’s movements and whether it helped organize the attack.