Enrique Guejía Meza, a traditional doctor and indigenous ancient authority, was shot dead on Sunday, August 4, 2019 around 5:30AM by two unidentified men on motorcycles in Toribío, Cauca.

As an active member of the community, Enrique had two important roles. He was a Cambuwesx (guardian) and a The Wala (keeper of ancient knowledge) of the Cabildo of Tacueyó.

Enrique had not received previous threats and he was also carrying the stick that identifies him as an ancient authority which is why the indigenous council of the north of Cauca, Asociación de Cabildos Indígenas del Norte del Cauca (ACIN), fear that his murder was part of “plan pistola” (gun plan). “Plan pistola” is reportedly a strategy carried by the criminal groups of the region against the indigenous communities in an attempt to gain territorial control.

The indigenous council of the region, Consejo Regional Indígena del Cauca (CRIC), denounced on Monday, July 8, 2019 that as a consequence of the work they do to prevent the action of armed groups in the region, its coordinators had been threatened by FARC dissidents. Then on Friday, July 19, 2019 CRIC denounced that some indigenous leaders in the region had received death threats from the Sinaloa Cartel that is reportedly associated with FARC dissidents and ELN groups.

Enrique was the third leader to be killed in Cauca within a week. José Eduardo Tumbó, community leader was shot dead in Corinto on Saturday, August 3 and Gersaín Yatacué, indigenous leader was shot dead on Thursday, August 1 in Toribío.