Victor  Manuel Chanit Aguilar

Source Codigo Oculto

On September 22, 2019, Mayor Victor Manuel Chanit Aguilar was found dead in a banana plantation.

On 20 September 2019, the indigenous reserve of Bajo Aguas Negras Caquetá, in the municipality of Solano – Caquetá, was invaded by an armed group that seized former governor Victor Manuel Chanit Aguilar against his will and without any justification.

The inhabitants of the Indigenous Guard maintain that the army was responsible as tracks of military boots were found near Victor Manuel’s house A military unit was known to be active in the area close to the house.

After this incident, most of the community undertook a search for the missing leader. Finally, on 22 September, Chanit’s lifeless body was found, near some banana crops. According to witnesses Victor Manuel was found wearing only a shirt and showing obvious signs of brutal torture.


The attacks took place at a time of day when there were only old people and children in the village and who are reluctant to speak because of the fear of reprisals.

The community has called on the government to take urgent action to investigate the crime and to protect the community from further violence.


If you would like to provide a personal recollection, please email us at: HRDMemorial@frontlinedefenders.org

Region:Americas

Country:Colombia

Department/Province/State:Caqueta

Sex1:Male

Date of Killing:20/09/2019

Previous Threats:No information

Type of Work:Community leader

Organisation:Resguardo indígena 'Aguas Negras'

Sector or Type of Rights the HRD Worked On:ESC Rights

Sector Detail:Indigenous Peoples' Rights, Land Rights

More information:Fronr Line Defenders

1This database records an individual's chosen gender identity. If they do not self-identify as male or female they can use the option of recording other/neither or use the term NBGI (non binary gender identity).