In a tragic incident on December 29, 2024, gunmen attacked the family of Pastor Marlon Lora in Aguachica, Colombia, killing him, his wife, and their daughter after they had just finished church service.
The armed assailants, riding on a motorcycle, opened fire on the family before fleeing the scene, resulting in the immediate deaths of Pastor Lora, his wife, Yorley Rincon, and their daughter, Ángela. The youngest member of the family, Santiago, was severely injured and remains in critical condition.
The attack occurred just meters away from the national police station in Aguachica, sparking a rapid response from authorities. Pastor Lora and his family were well-respected within the Christian community of Aguachica, with local pastor Divanit Alfonso Calle, president of the Association of Pastors of Aguachica, expressing sorrow over the loss.
In response to the violence, the national government has announced a reward of up to 50 million pesos ($11,000) for anyone who provides information leading to the capture of those responsible for the killings, as reported by El Pais.
Aguachica’s Mayor, Greisy Roqueme, imposed a curfew and called for increased security attention to the region, stating, “We cannot allow violence to steal our hope, so I demand that the National Government, the Minister of Defense, and the Public Force turn their attention to the department of Cesar, but above all to the municipality of Aguachica.”
This tragic incident adds to the disturbing trend of increasing violence against Christians in Colombia in recent months, according to the Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).
