17 Sep 2019 | 12:32 AM UTC
Colombia: Mayoral candidate assassinated in Tibú September 15
Unidentified individuals assassinate mayoral candidate during campaign event in Tibú September 15; heightened security presence expected nationwide ahead of October 27 elections
Event
On Sunday, September 15, mayoral candidate Bernardo Betancourt Orozco was shot and killed during a campaign event in the La Gabarra district of Tibú (Norte de Santander department). As of Monday, September 16, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident. Orozco is the seventh candidate to be assassinated ahead of local and regional elections slated to be held across Colombia on October 27. In response to Sunday's incident, President Ivan Duque said on Monday that protection will be increased for political candidates running in the elections.
A heightened security presence is expected in Tibú over the near term.
Advice
Individuals in Colombia are advised to monitor developments, avoid all political events as a precaution, and anticipate a heightened security presence and localized business and transportation disruptions around protest sites.
