Popayan, Cauca
Indepaz confirmed a new massacre and murder of a peasant leader in Cauca. The Institute expressed its concern about the difficult security situation facing the north of the department.
The collective homicide was recorded in the central area of the municipality of Miranda where they died after an armed attack: Álvaro Sánchez, 21 years old; Johnny Gómez González, 30, and Brayan Felipe Mezú Velásquez 29 years old.
Those responsible for this incident, according to authorities and the community, escaped from the area in a private truck.
Meanwhile, in the Santa Lucía village of the municipality of Silvia, he was murdered. William Ramírez, distinguished peasant leader and who was part of the Community Action Board of that town. In this same region in December 2023, another leader was assassinated.
Leonardo González, coordinator of Indepaz, pointed out that “the situation in Cauca is very serious, but especially in the north of the department where armed groups are generating all types of violent actions against the civilian population. We call for a comprehensive presence of the State that goes beyond public presence, we cannot stay with a security council”.
González also confirmed that in Cauca so far in 2024, they have been murdered 14 social leaders, three peace signatories and 5 massacres have been recorded with 17 victims.
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