The president of the local committee of Bendición de Jehová community was found dead with several gun shot wounds on 26 February 2016, in the Cofredia area of Cortes City.

The victim was identified as Wilmer Gonzalez, 35 years old, a local community leader, who had received several death threats due to his struggle to defend his right to land in the area. In the past, a group of local authorities had tried to evict  people by force from their lands, which has led to confrontation between the residents and the local authorities.

A group of landowners have tried to claim title to this land by forcing off the small farmers who have been working the land.