Indigenous authorities in the northern area of ​​the department of Cauca have reported the murder of Daniel Rojas Zambrano, president of the Community Action Board of the village of López.  Daniel was a leader in the community living on the López Adentro indigenous reserve in Caloto Cauca. Indigenous Senator Feliciano Valencia, stated that Daniel Rojas Zambrano was shot six times, dying instantly.

Apparently, Daniel, was heading from his place of residence to a checkpoint of the indigenous guard, when two armed men came up to him and shot him, ending his life. The Senator emphasised that this latest killing illustrates the high level of danger facing indigenous leaders, as well as the general state of insecurity in the region. The high number of attacks suggests a coordinated plan to eliminate indigenous leaders.

Senator Valencia stated that Daniel had received several threatening telephone calls, but had never been provided with any security or protection.

In response to this crime, the National Ombudsman’s Office issued a statement calling on “the relevant authorities to clarify the causes of this violence and to bring those responsible to justice as soon as possible.” For its part, the Organization of United Nations (UNU) condemned the killing and expressed its solidarity with the family and the community and called on the Ministry of the Interior to provide security measures for social leaders.

According to reports received, with this killing the number of community leaders killed in Colombia since President Duque came to power has now risen to 162.