Colombia: Remains of eight social leaders found in rural Guaviare

Published at: 02/07/2025 10:30 AM

Eight bodies were found in a mass grave in the municipality of Calamar, department of Guaviare, Colombia, as part of the location operations initiated in April by national agencies. The victims were identified as leaders linked to religious and community organizations.

The Attorney General's Office reported that the recovery of the remains was carried out with the support of the National Army's No. 1 Rapid Deployment Force. The judicial body indicated that the people found were cited by members of the dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), after suspicions about the possible formation of a cell of the National Liberation Army (ELN) in the area.

According to investigations, the First Armando Ríos Front of the Central General Staff (EMC), a dissident faction with a presence in the region, would have summoned the victims before their disappearance. The complaint that gave rise to the operation was filed in the first months of the year.

Family members confirmed the identity of Jesús Valero, Carlos Valero, Marivel Silva, Isaid Gómez, Maryuri Hernández, Óscar Hernández, James Caicedo and Nixon Peñaloza Chacón.

President Gustavo Petro spoke about the discovery through his official account on the social network X, where he expressed his repudiation of the fact. “These acts violate the right to life, freedom of worship and community work carried out in territories affected by violence,” said the president.

Mazo News Team