Bogota, Colombia – Colombian authorities have confirmed that the body of Mateo Pérez Rueda, an independent journalist and political science student at the National University of Medellin, has been found. He traveled to Briseño, Antioquia, to document the security situation in the area where the 36th Front, a former FARC anti-regime front, operates.
The bodies were released to the families following talks between organized crime groups and humanitarian groups, including the ICRC. Even family members were not allowed to enter the area.
President Gustavo Petro said on his
The 25-year-old journalist founded and served as director of a digital media outlet, becoming an important voice in the northern Antioquia community. Yarumal’s close associate.
In this role, he dealt with issues related to organized crime, administrative corruption, public order, security and local politics in municipalities where organized crime and illegal armed groups are active, such as Valdivia and Ituango. Because of this, he faced legal prosecution, conciliation summons, and other hostile actions.
The state launched an active search for Mateo after he was reported missing on May 5 from the rural village of Palmichal. Local residents there and the victim’s relatives reported that Mateo was killed by members of a criminal group led by the alias Calarcá Córdoba.
Alias Calarcá is a guerrilla leader who took part in President Gustavo Petro’s ‘Total Peace’ negotiations, which led the government to suspend his arrest warrant to facilitate talks with the armed group.
According to local media, Mateo contacted several officials looking for someone to accompany him to the countryside to obtain information about the ongoing armed conflict in the area.
Authorities and neighbors reportedly advised him not to leave the city center. Even government officials did not guarantee the safety of entering this area. It is reported that the reporter ignored these warnings and took off on his motorcycle.
Defense Secretary Pedro Sánchez initially treated the case as a missing persons case, but Mateo’s family pointed out that it could have been a kidnapping and murder when Mateo’s vehicle, wallet, cell phone, and keys were found abandoned just hours after losing contact with him.
Sánchez also offered a 300 million COP (approximately $80,500 USD) reward for information leading to Mateo’s alleged murder.
The situation also highlights ongoing risks for those practicing journalism in Colombia, mainly in rural areas and conflict zones.
According to FLIP, a press freedom foundation, armed groups have attacked the media 387 times since 2022, using threats and forced relocation to force silence.
Featured Image: Mateo Perez Rueda
Image source: Flip
