Former Cúcuta Government Secretary Murdered; State Offers 100 Million Peso Reward
Miguel Castellanos, former Government Secretary of Cúcuta, was killed on 26 October on the Western Ring Road. President De la Espriella ordered the Public Prosecutor's Office to act with urgency.
Former Government Secretary of Cúcuta Killed in Motorcycle Attack; His Minor Son Witnessed the Crime
Miguel Castellanos, former Government Secretary of Cúcuta and brother of former congressman Jairo Castellanos, was murdered on the night of Monday 26 October 2026 on the Western Ring Road in the capital of Norte de Santander, according to infobae.com.
According to initial reports, Castellanos stopped his armoured vehicle at a petrol station when a motorcyclist deliberately collided with the vehicle. Upon getting out to address what had happened, the former official received several shots from the same motorcyclist. His minor son was travelling in the vehicle and witnessed the attack.
George Quintero, Citizen Security Secretary of the Norte de Santander Regional Government, explained what occurred to the media present at the scene: "The van, which is an armoured van, they hit it; he gets out to see what happened, to speak with the person on the motorcycle, and it is that person who shoots at him". Quintero added that the victim did not have his security detail at that moment: "Castellanos had a security detail, but unfortunately he did not have it at that time".
National Government's Reaction
The President of the Republic, Abelardo de la Espriella, condemned the crime through his X account and ordered the National Police and the Public Prosecutor General's Office to deploy all institutional capacities to capture those responsible. "THE MURDER OF MIGUEL CASTELLANOS CANNOT GO UNPUNISHED! (...) My solidarity and my most sincere condolences to his family. May God grant them strength in this moment of profound sorrow", the president wrote.
In the same message, De la Espriella warned directly at those behind the act: "LET CRIMINALS BE CLEAR ABOUT THIS: IN COLOMBIA THERE WILL BE NO ROOM FOR IMPUNITY! We are going to pursue those responsible with all the capacity of the State and bring them before justice".
Defence Minister Jorge Mora also spoke out on social media and committed his portfolio to the search for those responsible: "I condemn with absolute force the murder of Miguel Castellanos, former Government Secretary of Cúcuta. The Colombian National Police, in coordination with the Public Prosecutor's Office, must act with all investigative capacity to identify, pursue and capture those responsible for this crime. We will look for them, we will find them and they will have to answer to justice. There will be no mercy against those who attack the lives of Colombians".
Reward of up to 100 Million Pesos
The Municipality of Cúcuta, the Regional Government of Norte de Santander and the National Police jointly announced the offer of a reward of up to 100 million pesos for citizen information leading to the location and capture of the murderers. The authorities activated the emergency line 123 to receive information with "absolute confidentiality".
The Regional Government added its call for justice through its X account: "We request that the competent authorities carry out the corresponding investigations to clarify the facts and ensure that justice is done. Norte de Santander demands respect for life".
The National Police activated a "lockdown plan" and deployed operational and investigative capacities from the night of the homicide. In a video released by the institution, it was detailed that the attack occurred in the sector of the archway of the Western Ring Road whilst Castellanos was heading towards his place of residence.
Background of Threats Against the Castellanos Family
The authorities are investigating the background of threats and armed attacks previously directed against the victim's family environment in the eastern region of the country. Quintero revealed that investigators are analysing a previous attack suffered by Jairo Castellanos, the victim's brother and former congressman: "His brother, who also had an attack a few months ago in Arauca where some of his escorts died".
In statements to Caracol Radio, the departmental secretary confirmed that Miguel Castellanos's minor son was the only companion of the victim at the time of the crime: "He was coming barely with his son, according to the information. He is a minor".
Source: Google News CO — Crime