Colombian Candidate’s Campaign Coordinator Killed

Why this is here: Rogers Mauricio Devia Escobar brought electricity to more than 70 farming families in remote areas of Cubarral, Meta, through a solar energy program during his time as mayor.

Abelardo de la Espriella, a Colombian presidential candidate, publicly addressed the deaths of Rogers Mauricio Devia and Fabián Cardona. Devia, his campaign coordinator and former mayor of Cubarral in Meta, Colombia, was killed alongside Cardona. De la Espriella described both men as courageous patriots and blamed the killings on a dissident group led by a person known as Calarcá.

Devia previously served as mayor of Cubarral from 2020 to 2023. During his term, he implemented a solar energy program bringing electricity to over 70 rural families and earned national recognition for this work. He was collecting campaign materials in Villavicencio when the attack occurred.

De la Espriella announced he will lead a march protesting political violence and honoring the victims. The investigation into the killings remains ongoing and the full scope of the motives is still unclear. He pledges to continue his campaign with renewed determination.