Indigenous leader murdered in southern Colombia

An indigenous community leader was murdered on Tuesday 14 May in Caloto, department of Cauca, one of the most dangerous regions in Colombia since the signing of the peace deal in November 2016. Daniel Eduardo Rojas Zambrano was shot dead outside his house by unidentified assailants.  

Daniel was president of the Community Council in the indigenous reserve of López Adentro and coordinated sports and cultural activities, including children’s football sessions.

Reports said that Daniel had warned of threats against him in community meetings. The community had also alerted authorities to the presence of armed groups in the area and threats to other local leaders.

More than 500 social leaders have been murdered in Colombia since the peace agreement was signed, with more deaths in Cauca than any other part of the country.