Two presidential campaign staff members killed in Colombia ahead of upcoming elections
In the turbulent landscape of Colombian politics, an alarming surge in violence threatens to undermine the upcoming presidential elections slated for May 31. Just weeks before the polls, the assassination of two campaign staffers sheds light on the risks candidates face and raises concerns about the integrity of democratic processes in the nation. These unsettling events call into question not only the safety of political participants but also the broader implications for citizens’ rights and civic participation in Colombia.
In Colombia, two presidential campaign staffers were tragically killed just two weeks ahead of the anticipated elections, a manifestation of the violence that has long plagued the country’s political landscape. Abelardo de la Espriella, a right-wing candidate, reported the killings, revealing that gunmen on motorbikes shot the victims in the central department of Meta on Friday night.
De la Espriella took to social media platform X to commemorate the slain staffers, stating they “walked the streets defending democracy, freedom, and the hope of millions of Colombians.” He emphasized that these individuals had paid the ultimate price for their beliefs, suggesting that their only fault was to uphold the values of national pride and to resist the weight of violence that seeks to dictate the political narrative.
The citizens’ rights ombudsman in Colombia has identified the deceased as Rogers Mauricio Devia Escoba, a former mayor of Cubarral, and his advisor Eder Fabian Cardona Lopez. The ombudsman’s office further noted an attack against a former mayoral candidate in the Meta region, although no additional details were provided. With these incidents under investigation, officials warn that such violence could seriously hinder civic engagement and the exercise of political rights, highlighting the urgent need for a secure environment for the imminent elections.
“Increased violence and intimidation threaten public discourse, exacerbate risks for political and social leaders, and weaken the very foundations of democratic coexistence,” the ombudsman’s office articulated in a statement. Historically, Meta has been a challenging region, marked by the influence of rebel groups and narcotics trafficking, adding layers of complexity to the ongoing election campaign to replace Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s first leftist president.
The electoral race is heating up, with left-wing Senator Ivan Cepeda emerging as the frontrunner. Cepeda has pledged to continue Petro’s efforts towards a negotiated resolution to Colombia’s armed conflicts. In contrast, De la Espriella has aligned himself with populist leaders from other nations, such as El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele. Current polls indicate Cepeda leads the race, garnering between 37 to 40 percent of voter support, while De la Espriella maintains a substantial presence at over 20 percent.
Nonetheless, the political landscape remains perilous, with reports of death threats against at least three candidates, all of whom are accompanied by heavy security. Last year, Cepeda’s vice-presidential candidate, Indigenous activist Aida Quilcue, was briefly kidnapped by dissenting factions that rejected the 2016 peace agreement with the now-demobilized Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). In a grim twist, another presidential contender, Miguel Uribe, was shot during a campaign rally in June 2025 and succumbed to his injuries shortly afterward.
As Colombia approaches this pivotal moment, it faces the dual challenge of ensuring a safe electoral process while addressing the historical wounds of conflict and violence that continue to shape its political identity.
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