A former mayor and a campaign aide were shot dead in central Colombia, authorities said, in an attack that underscores rising political violence days before the country heads into a closely watched presidential vote.
The victims, identified as Rogers Mauricio Devia Escoba and his adviser Eder Fabian Cardona Lopez, were killed Friday night in the rural municipality of Cubarral in Meta department, about 105 miles south of the capital, Bogota. Officials said gunmen on motorbikes carried out the shooting.
The Associated Press reported that Devia, who served as mayor of Cubarral from 2020 to 2023, had aligned himself with presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the National Salvation Movement. The country’s Public Defender’s Office confirmed the killings and warned the attack could undermine political participation ahead of the May 31 election.
Interior Minister Armando Benedetti said investigators have yet to establish a motive. He added that security forces recently disrupted a separate plot targeting a staff member linked to another candidate, Paloma Valencia, in the same region.
Al Jazeera cited Colombia’s citizens’ rights office as cautioning that the violence threatens the “exercise of political rights” as campaigning enters its final stretch. The ombudsman’s office noted that intimidation and attacks against candidates and their teams could weaken public debate and deter voter engagement.
The Meta region, where the killings occurred, has long been contested by armed groups, including factions that split from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia after a 2016 peace accord. The area is also tied to drug trafficking routes, adding to persistent instability.
The attack comes amid heightened tensions in a race to succeed President Gustavo Petro. Polling has shown left-leaning Senator Ivan Cepeda leading the field, while de la Espriella has drawn support from voters seeking a tougher stance on crime. At least three candidates have disclosed receiving death threats, and leading contenders are traveling with extensive security details.
Colombia has faced a pattern of election-related violence in recent years. In June 2025, presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe was shot during a rally in Bogota and later died from his injuries, highlighting the risks confronting political figures.
The killings point to a broader security challenge that continues to shape Colombia’s political landscape. Despite the 2016 peace agreement, splinter groups and criminal networks have filled power vacuums in several regions, often targeting local leaders and political actors.
Meta’s strategic location makes it a focal point for armed factions seeking influence over territory and resources. Attacks in such areas are not only acts of violence but also signals intended to assert control and intimidate communities ahead of elections.
The timing is particularly significant. With voters preparing to choose a new president, incidents like this can alter campaign dynamics by shifting attention toward security concerns. Candidates may be compelled to harden their rhetoric, while voters weigh safety alongside economic and social issues.
There is also a risk that continued violence could suppress turnout in affected regions, potentially shaping electoral outcomes. Historically, fear and insecurity have discouraged participation, especially in rural areas where state presence is limited.
The Colombian government faces a delicate balance between maintaining order and preserving democratic processes. While security forces have increased protection for candidates, the persistence of attacks suggests deeper structural issues remain unresolved.
As the election approaches, the trajectory of violence will be closely watched, both domestically and internationally, as a measure of Colombia’s progress in stabilizing regions long affected by conflict.
AP/Aljazeera
