Attack in Jamundí: bodyguard of former mayor Ramírez killed; former mayor survives
Former mayor of Jamundí Andrés Felipe Ramírez survived an armed attack on 16 October; his bodyguard Felipe López was killed.
Bodyguard of former Jamundí mayor killed in armed attack
On Friday 16 October, former mayor of Jamundí Andrés Felipe Ramírez survived an armed attack in which Felipe López, a member of his protection detail, was killed. This was reported by the Ombudsman's Office of Colombia, which expressed condolences to López's family and solidarity with the former mayor.
According to defensoria.gov.co, the incident is not isolated: in recent years there have been multiple attacks, threats and assaults against people linked to Ramírez's political circle. The office called on the Attorney General's Office of the Nation to investigate these events jointly to determine whether there is a link between past events and Friday's attack.
Context of armed violence in Jamundí
The municipality in Valle del Cauca is experiencing a serious scenario of violence associated with armed conflict. The self-styled Frente Jaime Martínez, part of the Bloque Occidental Comandante Jacobo Arenas (Bocja) of the Central General Staff (EMC) — linked to the alias "Iván Mordisco" — exercises territorial control in the area. This is compounded by threats of incursions by other armed groups, which heightens risks for the civilian population.
This week, the Ombudsman's Office issued Early Warning 023 of 2026, which alerts to selective homicides, forced disappearances, threats and attacks against social leaders in Jamundí. The alert also incorporates warnings contained in Early Warning 013 of 2025, relating to violence against political candidates and leaders.
On Tuesday 20 October, a session of the Intersectoral Commission for Rapid Response to Early Warnings (CIPRAT) will take place, where authorities must define concrete and coordinated actions to protect the population.
Requests from the Ombudsman's Office
The Ombudsman's Office made two formal requests to competent institutions:
To the Attorney General's Office of the Nation it demands progress in urgent actions to identify and capture the hitman and the structure responsible for the attack. It also asks that the investigation consider the broader context of violence against the political movement to which Ramírez belongs, in order to clarify who is behind the attack and its possible link to other similar incidents.
To the National Protection Unit (UNP) it urges continuous evaluation of risk conditions and maintenance of measures necessary to guarantee the life and integrity of those engaged in political activities, including the former mayor himself, Andrés Felipe Ramírez.
Source: Google News CO — Crime