They assassinate Esteban Mosquera, a leader of activism in the Cauca

Two armed men who mobilized this August 23 in the afternoon in the district of La Pamba, in the center of Popayán (Cauca), repeatedly shot at a young social leader in the region. The victim was identified as Esteban Mosquera, 24, who was studying music at the University of Cauca and was an activist leader in the department.

So far, few details about the event have been revealed, but authorities point out that it happened on time on Carrera 1, between third and fourth streets, in Popayán. This address is close to Mosquera’s house and the young man was apparently heading there when he was shot in the head.

There is still no indication of who or who committed the crime, but it is not excluded that illegal armed groups operating in Cauca are involved. In this department, dissidents from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the National Liberation Army (ELN), the Popular Liberation Army (EPL) and the Colombian Gaitanist Self-Defense Forces (AGC), also known as the Clan del Gulf. In addition, there are the narco-paramilitary groups known as Sinaloa-La Mafia, La Constru, and Los Rastrojos.

These groups may intend to assassinate Mosquera for the activities he was carrying out. In fact, he rose to prominence nationally in 2018 because he was injured during the November marches of the same year, in which they demanded more resources for the operation and investment of the public university in Colombia. At this point, an officer from the Mobile Riot Squad (Esmad) shot him and injured his left eye, which he subsequently lost on impact.

In addition, Mosquera was a reporter for the alternative media Contra Portada and would eventually go live stream on Facebook. Through both channels, the young man made visible the reality of the department and the problems of his community.

Given his work, different sectors rejected Mosquera’s murder and demanded justice. One of the first to speak was Human Colombia Senator Gustavo Bolívar.

What sad news. I’m crying. Esteban Mosquera was taken out by Esmad’s eye 3 years ago. I went to Popayán to see him and help him. His treatment was traumatic. Today, they murder him because they want to annihilate the youth because they know that the force of change lies in them, ”Bolívar wrote on his Twitter account.

Subsequently, other politicians, activists and state institutions joined in rejecting the assassination of the social leader. In social media, posts are read highlighting the work Mosquera has done and they have called for justice.

“What a pain, in Unicauca we are heartbroken and in mourning,” said student leader José Gallego.

“From the office of the mediator, we reject the murder of young Esteban Mosquera in Popayán, who was a youth leader at the University of Cauca. We demand speed in the investigations and an exemplary sentence for those responsible for this crime ”, Defensoría.

The national police assured the public that they were already working to clarify the case. The institution has announced that it will offer up to 50 million in rewards to those who provide conclusive information on Mosquera’s murder that will allow the perpetrators to be found.

The increase in cases of violence raises concerns in the Cauca. Just yesterday, on August 22, a massacre was carried out in Santander de Quilichao in which three people died. The incident happened in the early hours of the morning in the village of El Águila.

Preliminary information indicates that armed men arrived at a house where a 15-year party was being held around dawn this Sunday and silently attacked the participants. Two of the victims died at the scene and two other injured were transferred to a health center.

The third died while receiving medical treatment, while the fourth could be rescued but remains under observation in what is set as the 66th massacre of this year, according to Indepaz. Apparently, the three young men who died were from the Zapata Mera family and lived in the village of El Toro, near the site of the armed attack, although their identities were not disclosed.

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