Carlos Andrés Sánchez Villa was vice president of the Junta de Acción Comunal, (Community Action Board) in vereda Caño Raya, in Tibú, Norte de Santander. He was also a member of the Programa Nacional Integral de Sustitución de Cultivos de uso Ilícito, (National Programme for the Substitution of Illicit Crops) –PNIS.
On 4 May, 2020, Carlos Andrés was driving near his farm on the road between Tibú and La Gabarra when two men travelling on a motorcycle pulled up alongside him and shot him multiple times.
Carlos Andrés was the third community leader murdered in the area since the beginning of 2020. All three had been involved in the programme for the elimination of coca production.
Juan Carlos Quintero; president of the Asociación Campesina del Catatumbo,(Peasant Association of Catatumbo), ASCAMCAT, highlighted the fact that the killing took place just one kilometre from an army post.
There are a number of paramilitary and criminal groups active in the area who are fighting for control of the drug trade.
