“Carefree” Appearance for Veronica Guerin’s Killer During Day Release
July 7, 2025
Seven Female Journalists Detained and Reporter Investigated for Commemoration in Turkey
July 8, 2025
July 07, 2025 – Colombia –
Gustavo Chicangana, the 62‑year‑old news director of Guaviare Estéreo and a reporter for Caracol Radio Guaviare, was seriously shot alongside his wife, Ana Milena Torres, as they left their residence in San José del Guaviare. Chicangana sustained injuries to the throat, chest, and shoulder, while Torres was wounded in the throat and chin. Both remain in stable condition, receiving medical care—Chicangana at a Bogotá hospital, and Torres at a local facility.
Chicangana, also affiliated with Colombia’s Foundation for Press Freedom (FLIP), had long been a target of threats linked to his coverage of local issues, particularly from the Renacer de Erpac armed group. Days before the shooting, they demanded the station air their statements; upon refusal, they declared station journalists “military objectives”.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), represented by Cristina Zahar, condemned the attack as a “heinous assault on press freedom,” urging **Colombian authorities to investigate thoroughly and ensure safety for journalists.
Prompt police action led to the arrest of 21‑year‑old William Alexander Perea, charged with aggravated attempted homicide, along with a second individual in connection with the case.
Background on the situation underscores the peril journalists face in Colombia, particularly in areas where rebel or criminal groups operate. Renacer de Erpac—a drug‑trafficking faction active in the Guaviare region—had recently escalated pressure on media outlets. According to FLIP and local reporting, attacks and threats against journalists have surged, prompting urgent safety concerns.
The incident reinforces a longstanding pattern of violence and intimidation against Colombian journalists. In early 2025 alone, CPJ had already documented another attack—journalist Óscar Gómez Agudelo was fatally shot on January 24 at his radio station in Armenia. Colombia’s media freedom defenders have reported hundreds of attacks, from threats and harassment to shootings and murders.
This new shooting raises alarm about press vulnerability in conflict zones where criminal entities resist scrutiny. CPJ and other rights groups insist on rigorous investigations and protection measures from Colombia’s government. As the inquiry progresses, stakeholders continue calling for justice, accountability, and safer conditions for journalists who risk their lives to inform the public.
Reference –
