At 6PM on the evening of 4 February 2020, two armed men on a motor cycle rode into the community of El Cocuy, Boyacá and opened fire on Libardo Arciniega as he was standing in the doorway of his house. He was hit 4 times and died instantly.

Libardo was treasurer of the Junta de Accion Comunal – JAC (community Action Board) in the community of Vereda Pachacual and according to the Mayor he had not previously reported any threats or attacks.

Libardo was well known and respected in the area and had done a lot of work for the community.

The killing has caused particular shock as Boyacá had reported very low levels of violence in recent years and there had been no reports of paramilitary activity. There had however been some rumours of paramilitary activity recently but nothing had been confirmed.