First modification:
The representative for Nariño for the AICO Political Movement was shot to death last Friday when he was going from Mallama to Ipiales to meet with the Ministry of the Interior. According to the organization Indepaz, in 2023, 15 indigenous leaders have been assassinated in Colombia.
“Taita Marcos López, leader of the AICO indigenous party, supported me in my presidential campaign. He has been killed. I expect the greatest possible reward for information to find their direct and intellectual murderers,” Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on social media.
Taita Marcos López, leader of the AICO indigenous party, supported me in my presidential campaign.
Have been murdered.
I expect the greatest possible rewards for information to find their direct and intellectual murderers. pic.twitter.com/YUTaCnXwOW
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) February 11, 2023
Lóper was a recognized indigenous leader, former governor of the Gran Mallama Reservation in 2021 and councilor in 2019 for the municipality of Mallama. He was currently the representative for Nariño for the AICO Political Movement elected in December 2022.
“With deep pain and sadness we inform that in the morning Marcos López, legal representative of political AICO, suffered an attack while leaving his residence in Mallama. In fact, the authority lost his life, ”he confirmed his party.
According to Indepaz (Institute for Development and Peace Studies), López was attacked by armed men in the La Verbena sector, an area where members of the National Liberation Army and other local armed bands operate.
So far this year, 15 indigenous leaders have been assassinated, 1,424 since the peace agreements were signed in Colombia in 2016.
