Two Campaign Allies of Colombian Presidential Candidate Murdered in Meta
Two key allies of right-wing Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella were murdered by gunmen in the Meta department, intensifying fears of political violence ahead of the May 31 elections. The victims, campaign coordinator Rogers Mauricio Devia and advisor Eder Fabián Cardona, were killed in a region contested by armed groups and drug traffickers. This incident follows a pattern of escalating attacks on political figures, prompting heightened security for major candidates. Officials condemn the killings as severe threats to democratic participation and electoral integrity in Colombia.
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Two Campaign Workers for Colombian Right-Wing Candidate Killed
Two campaign workers for Abelardo De La Espriella, a right-wing presidential candidate in Colombia, were shot and killed in the southeastern province of Meta, just two weeks before the country's presidential election. The victims, Rogers Mauricio Devia, a former mayor coordinating local campaigns, and Fabian Cardona, a logistics assistant, were intercepted by four hooded men on motorcycles in a rural area of Cubarral. De La Espriella’s party, Defenders of the Homeland, condemned the act as a cowardly murder. While authorities have not officially attributed blame, De La Espriella accused a dissident faction of the former FARC rebels, though he provided no evidence. This violence occurs amidst a tense electoral climate where De La Espriella currently polls second behind leftist candidate Ivan Cepeda. De La Espriella advocates for hardline security measures against guerrillas and drug traffickers. The incident follows his recent allegations of an assassination plot against himself. Colombians are voting to succeed President Gustavo Petro, with a potential runoff scheduled for June 21 if no candidate secures a majority in the first round on May 31.
The Straits Times World NewsFormer Mayor Rogers Devia Shot Dead in Colombia During Election Campaign
Rogers Devia, a former mayor of Cubarral in central Colombia, was shot dead by gunmen along with his aide, Eder Cardona, in a rural area south of Bogota. The attack occurred during the ongoing election campaign period, raising concerns about political violence. Devia, who served as mayor from 2020 to 2023, was an ally of presidential candidate Abelardo de La Espriella of the National Salvation Movement. Local authorities indicated that the region is contested by multiple armed groups, including U.S.-designated terrorist organizations and FARC splinters. The Public Defender's Office warned that such killings threaten democratic participation ahead of the May 31 presidential elections. Interior Minister Armando Benedetti stated that the motive remains unknown, though police recently thwarted a separate attack on a staffer for another candidate, Paloma Valencia, in the same city. This incident highlights the persistent security challenges facing Colombian politicians and the potential impact on the upcoming electoral process, where at least six candidates are competing.
News Today: Breaking News, Top Headlines & Live Updates | The HinduFormer Colombian Mayor and Campaign Coordinator Shot Dead Ahead of Elections
Rogers Mauricio Devia Escobar, a former mayor of Cubarral and campaign coordinator for far-right presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, was shot dead alongside former government secretary Fabián Cardona. The murders occurred in the Meta department just two weeks before Colombia's first round of presidential elections scheduled for May 31, 2026. This incident has heightened concerns regarding the safety of political candidates and leaders during the electoral period. De la Espriella, representing the Defensores de la Patria movement and currently polling in second place, condemned the killings as acts of narcoterrorism. Additionally, the Ombudsman's Office reported a separate attack on right-wing candidate Julián Cardona in the same area. Authorities, including the Attorney General's Office, have urged rapid investigations and enhanced security measures for political actors. This event follows the recent killing of Municipal Council president Mileidy Villada González, highlighting a troubling pattern of violence against opposition and regional leaders that threatens democratic participation and public debate in the country.
Portada // elmundoTwo Presidential Campaign Staffers Killed in Colombia Ahead of Election
Two campaign staffers working for right-wing presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella were shot and killed by gunmen on motorcycles in Colombia's Meta Department. The attack occurred just weeks before the scheduled May 31 presidential election, which will determine the successor to outgoing leftist President Gustavo Petro. Meta is known as a stronghold for rebel groups that rejected the 2016 peace accord with FARC and remains a key route for cocaine trafficking. Officials, including the citizens' rights ombudsman, warned that such violence seriously undermines citizens' ability to participate in the democratic process. Security has become a paramount concern as Colombia faces a surge in killings and rebel attacks. Major candidates, including de la Espriella and leftist front-runner Ivan Cepeda, have received death threats and now travel with heavy security. This incident follows other recent violent events, including the kidnapping of Cepeda’s running mate and the suspected killing of presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe last year, highlighting the dangerous environment surrounding the upcoming vote.
Home - CBSNews.comTwo Allies of Colombian Presidential Candidate Abelardo de la Espriella Murdered
Two key members of the presidential campaign for right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella were murdered in Colombia, intensifying concerns about political violence ahead of the May 31 elections. The victims, local campaign coordinator Rogers Mauricio Devia and advisor Eder Fabián Cardona, were shot by four armed men on motorcycles in the Meta department while collecting electoral materials. The Ombudsman's Office condemned the attack as a severe threat to democratic participation. This incident follows a pattern of escalating violence, including the recent assassination of right-wing pre-candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay and the kidnapping of vice-presidential candidate Aida Quilcué. Major candidates, including left-wing leader Iván Cepeda and right-wing contenders Espriella and Paloma Valencia, are campaigning under heightened security due to death threats. The Meta region, a former FARC stronghold and major cocaine trafficking route, remains volatile with active guerrilla groups influencing the electoral landscape through intimidation and illegal activities.
ExameTwo Allies of Colombian Presidential Candidate Abelardo de la Espriella Murdered
Two key members of the presidential campaign for right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella were murdered in Colombia, reigniting fears of political violence ahead of the May 31 elections. Rogers Mauricio Devia, the local campaign coordinator, and advisor Eder Fabián Cardona were shot dead by four armed men on motorcycles in the rural department of Meta. The Ombudsman's Office condemned the attack as a serious threat to democratic participation. This incident follows a pattern of escalating violence, including the recent assassination of right-wing pre-candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay and the kidnapping of vice-presidential candidate Aida Quilcué. Major candidates, including left-wing leader Iván Cepeda and right-wing contenders Espriella and Paloma Valencia, are campaigning under tight security due to death threats. The Meta department, a former FARC stronghold, remains a hotspot for guerrilla activity and drug trafficking routes. Armed groups financed by illegal activities continue to attempt influencing the electoral process, recalling the dark era of the 1980s and 1990s when drug cartels targeted political figures. Security has become a central theme of the current presidential contest as candidates navigate an environment marked by intimidation and lethal attacks.
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