Journalist and candidate Susy 'La China' Polo murdered in Caraz during campaign
The 43-year-old communications professional was shot whilst conducting campaign activities in Caraz market. A Venezuelan citizen was detained as the alleged perpetrator.
Candidate for Áncash Regional Government murdered during election campaign
Susy Isabel Aponte Polo, known as 'La China' Polo, a 43-year-old journalist and candidate for the Áncash Regional Government representing the Socios por Áncash movement, was killed on Saturday in the city of Caraz whilst conducting campaign activities in the vicinity of the local market. According to infobae.com, two people were injured by gunfire and were taken to San Juan de Dios Hospital in Caraz; Aponte Polo died from her injuries, whilst the other injured person continued to receive medical attention.
The attack occurred during a campaign event in the Caraz market area. Local media outlets Chimbote Infórmate and Exitosa Trujillo reported preliminarily that the candidate was travelling through the area as part of her campaign work when she was attacked. The exact circumstances of the assault remain under investigation.
Following the crime, the National Police detained a Venezuelan national identified as the alleged perpetrator of the murder. During the intervention, a pistol was seized from him and he was placed at the disposal of the authorities for the corresponding procedures. The Public Prosecutor's Office is participating in the investigation to establish the motive for the attack and reconstruct what happened.
General PNP Eduan Díaz Díaz, head of the Áncash Police Region, travelled to Huaraz with specialised Homicide and Intelligence units to participate in the investigation and evidence collection. Authorities are working to determine whether there are other individuals involved in the crime.
Days before the murder, Aponte Polo had publicly shared information about threats against her life through her social media, according to Diario Nuevo Sol. The communications professional had gained prominence for her reports on alleged cases of corruption and other matters of regional interest disseminated from her digital platforms.
Hours before the attack, the journalist announced that she would broadcast a new programme that evening at 8 p.m. In the preview for 'China Polo Dominical', she stated she would cover the background of Lalo Villa, candidate for mayor of Huaraz for APP, as well as matters related to water management in Áncash and an investigation connected to Ferreñafe and Chiclayo.
Aponte Polo had also participated on 15 September in the debate organised by the National Electoral Jury (JNE) for candidates for the Áncash Regional Government. Her death occurred during the electoral campaign, days before the ballot.
Valentín Fernández, candidate for mayor of Nuevo Chimbote, expressed his condolences to Aponte Polo's relatives and called for an investigation to clarify the crime and determine the corresponding responsibilities.
The Áncash Regional Government condemned the murder through a statement issued on 19 September. The institution classified the crime as a serious act and demanded that the Interior Ministry and National Police establish a police cordon to identify and capture those responsible for the attack.
The Regional Government also requested the urgent convening of the National Citizen Security Council (CONASEC) to adopt measures against insecurity in the region. Among its requests, it also proposed guaranteeing protective measures for candidates participating in the electoral process, in order to safeguard their integrity and the free exercise of their political rights during the campaign.
The institution stated that it had previously requested an increase in security in Áncash and, following the murder of 'La China' Polo, demanded a response from the National Government. The investigation remains open whilst the Police and Public Prosecutor's Office work to clarify the case.
Source: Google News PE — Crime