The body of 25-year-old Colombian journalist Mateo Perez was discovered Friday night in the country's northwestern Antioquia department, an area rife with guerrilla groups, drug traffickers, and illegal gold miners, President Gustavo Petro confirmed.

Perez had been missing since May 5 after being detained by members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) at a roadblock, according to the Foundation for Press Freedom (FLIP). President Petro blamed the killing on FARC leader Jhon Edison Chala Torrejano, accusing him of seeking control over illicit gold mining.

A humanitarian commission from the Red Cross and the ombudsman's office, with government support, located the body. Petro stated that the National Police had been ordered weeks ago to strengthen its presence in the area with army support to eradicate remaining armed groups.

Perez ran the online news outlet El Confidente de Yarumal, focusing on crime, security, politics, and corruption. FLIP said he had faced legal pressures due to his investigations into illicit economies linked to armed actors. The organization urged the government to stop being indifferent to attacks on the press and adopt real protection measures.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called for a prompt investigation and justice. Since 2022, FLIP has recorded 387 attacks on the press by armed groups. Colombia has seen 170 journalist killings since 1977, with 22 in Antioquia. The country faces a surge in guerrilla attacks ahead of presidential elections on May 31.

Source: www.dw.com