Cuban artist Tirso Duarte, representative of timba, a popular musical rhythm from his country, died this Friday in Tumaco, which has Colombia’s second port in the Pacific, after being hospitalized after suffering a “physical attack.”
This was reported by the mayor of the city of Cali, Jorge Iván Ospina, who wrote on his social networks that “a real ‘timbero’ has left.”
“To all the residents of eastern Cali, especially from his beloved Vergel, to his family and friends, my sincere condolences. Tirso Duarte, with all his talent, was above all people, rhythm, cadence and strength,” said Ospina.
Just hours before, Ospina reported that as a result of the attack, of which he did not give further details, he was transferred from Tumaco to Pasto, the departmental capital of Nariño (southwest), because he was in a “delicate state of health.”
“On September 29, 2023, in the morning hours, an injured citizen was found on the public road (…) of Tumaco, apparently with a blunt weapon and a sharp weapon,” said the Police commander. from Nariño, Colonel Wilson Siza.
The artist, 45 years old, arrived at the hospital with “severe head trauma and a chest wound with a sharp weapon, due to which his immediate transfer to Pasto was necessary, where due to the severity of his injuries he died,” the officer added.
“The Technical Criminal Investigation Corps is carrying out the investigation to clarify the circumstances of time, manner and place that surrounded these unfortunate events,” said Colonel Siza.
Duarte had been living in Cali for more than 10 years and was recognized for his interpretations of songs such as “Un mal Sueño” or “Te bothera que sea felicita”, as well as for the song “Pa’ Cali”, which he composed for that Colombian city.
The Colombian salsero Willy García, who was part of Grupo Niche, mourned the death of his “colleague” Tirso Duarte.
“A great man has left us. His talent was indisputable. His death hurts. Have a good trip Tirso,” the Colombian artist wrote on Instagram