Two campaign staffers working for Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella were shot dead in central Colombia just weeks before the country’s presidential election.
The killings occurred on Friday night in Meta Department, where gunmen riding motorcycles opened fire on the victims, according to de la Espriella’s campaign.
The slain men were identified as Rogers Mauricio Devia Escoba, a former mayor of Cubarral, and his adviser Eder Fabian Cardona Lopez.
In a statement posted on X, de la Espriella described the victims as men who “defended democracy, freedom, and the hope of millions of Colombians,” adding that their only “crime” was refusing to surrender to violence.
Colombia’s citizens’ rights ombudsman condemned the attacks and warned that rising political violence could threaten democratic participation ahead of the May 31 presidential election.
Authorities also reported another attack targeting a former mayoral candidate in the same region, though details were not immediately released. Investigations into the incidents are ongoing.
Meta has long been associated with armed rebel activity and cocaine trafficking, making security a major issue in the election campaign to replace President Gustavo Petro.
Current frontrunner Ivan Cepeda has pledged to continue Petro’s peace-focused policies, while de la Espriella has campaigned with a hardline approach inspired by leaders such as Nayib Bukele and Javier Milei.
At least three presidential candidates have reportedly received death threats during the campaign. Security concerns have intensified since presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe was shot during a 2025 rally in Bogota and later died from his injuries.
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