Florentino Toconás Mensa

Florentino Toconás Mensa was an indigenous leader and teacher in the indigenous reserve of Canoas, in Santander de Quilichao, Cauca. He was also a member of the Indigenous Guard in Canoas.

On 9 July, 2020, Florentino was travelling by motorbike through the area of Dominguillo when he was approached by several men who opened fire, hitting him several times.

Florentino was taken to hospital immediately but died several hours later from his injuries.

On the same day, twenty-one year old Daniel Steven Medina, the son of another member of the Indigenous Guard, was also shot dead.

This killing was carried out as part of a deliberate strategy by members of armed criminal groups to terrorise the community into submission by targeting its leaders.


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

Region:Americas

Country:Colombia

Department/Province/State:Cauca

Sex1:Male

Age:49

Date of Killing:09/07/2020

Previous Threats:No

Type of Work:Teacher

Organisation:Resguardo de Canoas

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

Sector Detail:Citizens' rights, Indigenous Peoples' Rights, Peace Building

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).