Regional candidate shot dead at market in Caraz, Áncash
Susy Aponte Polo, known as "La China Polo", was shot during a campaign event in Caraz. A Venezuelan citizen was detained with a firearm.
Regional candidate assassinated during electoral campaign in Caraz
A journalist and candidate for the Regional Government of Áncash, Susy Ysabel Aponte Polo — publicly known as "La China Polo" — was shot dead on Saturday during a campaign tour at a busy market in the city of Caraz, located more than 300 kilometres north of Lima. This was reported by lanacion.com.ar, which covered the incident that occurred days before the regional elections scheduled for 4 October.
Aponte Polo was touring the market alongside supporters and distributing electoral propaganda when she was struck by a gunshot. A video circulated on social media shows the moment the candidate, running for the Socios por Áncash party, suddenly fell to the ground. Images distributed by Peruvian media recorded scenes of chaos at the location, with injured people on the ground whilst traders and neighbours sought shelter.
The attack also left five people wounded, who were taken to a hospital in the region, according to information from Peru's National Police (PNP). Following the incident, security forces detained a Venezuelan citizen identified as Luis Obispo Díaz, 32 years old, who was found in possession of a firearm.
Days before the murder, the journalist had reported threats and identified PNP General Víctor Revoredo as responsible for them, according to reports by RPP and La República. Aponte Polo ran an information portal called "China Polo Dominical", through which she disseminated allegations regarding suspected irregularities and corruption in the security forces, and had warned on her social media that she was receiving threats from prisons. The candidate also had two prior convictions for ideological falsity and document forgery.
The Specialised Prosecution Office for Violence Against Women opened a preliminary investigation into the crime of femicide and ordered a review of surveillance cameras in the area to establish whether the detainee participated in the attack.
The National Elections Board condemned the murder and demanded that authorities clarify the case with speed. "Violence has no place in a democratic society," the electoral body stated in a statement. For its part, the Council of the Peruvian Press requested an investigation into the murder: "It is necessary that the motives of the homicide be clarified. Other cases of murders have not been clarified," it said on its social media.
The attack occurs in a context of rising criminality in the country, with sustained increases in extortion and homicide offences. Among recent government measures are the declaration of emergency in Lima and in five prisons, as well as the creation of an intelligence committee against organised crime.
Source: Google News PE — Crime