Alirio Antonio Arenas Gómez,

Source El Espectador

On Saturday, September 2nd, Alirio Antonio Arenas Gómez, the president of the Council of the municipality of Convención, in Norte de Santander, was assassinated. The incident took place in the Belén neighborhood.

In the past he had denounced threats against him, so the National Protection Unit (UNP) had approved security measures, since July 31, by authorising the provision of a bulletproof vest and a cell phone, although, at the time of the crime these items had not yet been received

Arenas Gómez, 45, was also a member of the Movement for the Popular Constituent Movement (MPC). He arrived at the Convention Council with the endorsement of the Mais party. He also stood out as a social leader in the town of San Isidro, where he was president of the Community Action Board.

Hermes García, mayor of the Convention (in the Catatumbo region), lamented and condemned the crime. Garcia had also warned about the threats against Arenas in several security councils conducted by the government of Norte de Santander. The authorities are investigating the motives of the crime.


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Region:Americas

Country:Colombia

Department/Province/State:Norte de Santander

Sex1:Male

Age:45

Date of Killing:02/09/2018

Previous Threats:Yes

Type of Work:Community leader

Organisation:Council of the municipality of Convención

Sector or Type of Rights the HRD Worked On:Civil and Political Rights, ESC Rights

Sector Detail:Peasant Communities

More information:Front 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).