Double homicide of elderly couple in Jamundí: pair forcibly removed from their farm
Luis Alfredo Aponte and Lucy Hurtado were found dead on a rural road in Jamundí, Valle del Cauca, with bullet wounds. The Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating possible links to conflicts over land seizures.
Elderly couple murdered after being forcibly removed from their farm in Jamundí
The bodies of Luis Alfredo Aponte and Lucy Hurtado were located in the early hours of Wednesday, 7 October on the road connecting Jamundí's town centre with the Robles district, according to infobae.com. Both bore bullet wounds consistent with execution-style shots.
The couple had been reported missing since the afternoon of Tuesday, 6 October. Family members circulated missing person flyers through social networks and instant messaging groups after noticing that Aponte and Hurtado had not returned to their home in the Guachinte district.
Armed incursion on Cusagui farm
According to preliminary information, a group of armed men entered the Cusagui farm, where the couple lived, and forced them to leave the premises. Hours later, their bodies were found on the rural road. The regional news outlet Cali Informa reported that the victims would have injuries consistent with shots fired at close range, although this aspect will need to be confirmed by the Medical Examiner's Office and investigations by the Judicial Police.
Presence of armed actors hindered access to the site
One element concerning the community is that the presence of armed actors in the sector reportedly hindered authorities' access to conduct inspections and recover the bodies, according to information reported from the area.
Guachinte has faced security problems in recent months. The community water system was attacked with explosives in March, leaving the population without regular access to drinking water.
Investigation line points to conflicts over land seizures
The authorities are investigating whether the double homicide is related to conflicts stemming from land seizures recorded in that rural area in recent months. For now, this is a preliminary line of investigation and there is no definitive official hypothesis regarding those responsible or the motives for the crime.
The case was handed over to the Public Prosecutor's Office, which must establish who participated in the armed incursion, what prompted the forced removal of the victims from their residence, and whether there are links between the murder and the conflicts being investigated in the region.
Past midday on Wednesday, the Cali Metropolitan Police issued a statement calling on the public to provide information. "The National Police categorically reject this act of violence and make an urgent call to the community to provide any information through the emergency line 123 or the line 321 394 5156 that enables the swift clarification of this case. Absolute confidentiality is guaranteed," the official statement reads.
The Guachinte community bids farewell to Luis Alfredo Aponte
The Community Action Board of Guachinte released a condolence message recalling Aponte as a local figure of reference. "Don Luis was an exemplary man, committed to the wellbeing of our territory. His leadership, his participation in the various Community Action Boards and his valuable contribution to the development of our community left an indelible mark on Guachinte's history," the message published on Facebook states.
"Together with Doña Lucy, they were people appreciated, respected and loved by all who had the privilege of knowing them," the Community Action Board's post adds.
The homicide once again focuses attention on security conditions in the rural area of Jamundí, where communities have reported the presence of armed groups and disputes that affect their inhabitants on a daily basis.
Source: Google News CO — Crime