Journalist and regional candidate shot dead in Caraz, Áncash
Susy Aponte Polo, known as "La China" Polo, was shot during campaign activities in Caraz. A foreign national was detained as the alleged perpetrator.
Journalist and candidate for Áncash Regional Government killed during electoral campaign
Susy Ysabel Aponte Polo, 43 years old, was killed on Saturday in Caraz, Huaylas province, whilst carrying out campaign activities as a candidate for the Áncash Regional Government. According to lmneuquen.com, the attack occurred near the city market and also left another person wounded by gunfire.
Aponte Polo, publicly known as "La China" Polo, was running as a candidate for the Socios por Áncash movement. Both injured parties were taken to San Juan de Dios Hospital in Caraz; the journalist died from her injuries, whilst the other man remained under medical care.
Arrest of a foreign citizen
Following the crime, the National Police of Peru detained a foreign citizen preliminarily identified as the suspected perpetrator of the shooting. During the procedure, officers seized a pistol from him. The suspect was placed at the disposal of the authorities to continue with the corresponding proceedings.
According to information released by Exitosa Trujillo, citing preliminary reports from the National Police, one of the suspected perpetrators had already been taken into custody. The exact circumstances of the murder remain under investigation.
Investigation for femicide
The Specialist Prosecutor's Office for Violence Against Women and Members of the Family Unit in Huaylas opened a preliminary investigation for the crime of femicide against those found responsible for Aponte Polo's death.
Provincial prosecutor Dina Raquel Ramos Jáuregui, together with four assistant prosecutors and National Police officers, is participating in the proceedings. Among the initial actions, orders were issued for the removal of the body and the collection of images from security cameras installed in the sector where the attack occurred.
The Public Prosecutor's Office indicated that other urgent proceedings are also being carried out to establish the exact circumstances of the crime and determine responsibilities. The investigation remains open and the authorities have not yet confirmed a hypothesis regarding the motive.
Police deployment in Áncash
The head of the Áncash Police Region, Eduan Díaz Díaz, travelled to Huaraz accompanied by specialised homicide and intelligence teams, who are participating in the investigation and evidence collection. The analysis of video surveillance cameras located near the market forms part of the measures adopted.
Valentín Fernández, candidate for mayor of Nuevo Chimbote, expressed condolences to the communicator's family members and demanded that those responsible be identified. The incident caused shock in the locality and reactions from leaders and candidates throughout the region.
Prior threats and social media activity
In the days preceding the crime, "La China" Polo had publicly warned, through her social media accounts, that she had received threats against her life. The communicator combined her journalistic activity with her participation in the electoral campaign.
Aponte Polo had gained prominence on digital platforms for her exposés of alleged corruption cases and other matters linked to Áncash. Hours before the attack, she had announced the broadcast of a new episode of her programme "China Polo Dominical" at 8 p.m., in which she had planned to address the record of a candidate for mayor of Huaraz, issues related to water management in Áncash, and an investigation linked to Ferreñafe and Chiclayo.
On 15 September, Aponte Polo had participated in a debate organised by the National Electoral Jury (JNE) for candidates for the Áncash Regional Government.
Electoral alarm days before voting
The murder occurred during the campaign for the 2026 Regional and Municipal Elections, scheduled for 4 October. The attack occurred precisely during a campaign activity by the candidate, which generated concern among electoral authorities and bodies linked to the security of candidates.
The Áncash Regional Government issued a statement condemning the crime and demanding a response from national authorities. The institution called on the Ministry of Interior and the National Police to establish a police cordon to identify and capture those responsible.
Additionally, the Regional Government requested that the National Council for Citizen Security (CONASEC) be urgently convened to analyse measures against insecurity in the region, and included among its requests the implementation of protective measures for candidates participating in the campaign.
Source: Google News PE — Crime