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February 25, 2026 – Colombia –
A journalist covering a political event in Villavicencio, Colombia, was surrounded, shoved, and knocked to the ground by members of the Indigenous Guard while recording the gathering with his mobile phone, raising concerns about press freedom and the safety of media workers in the country. The incident occurred on February 24, 2026, in Plaza de Los Libertadores when journalist Carlos Ayala Orozco was documenting campaign activities.
According to eyewitness accounts and local media reports, several members of the Indigenous Guard approached Ayala Orozco as he was filming the event, encircling and aggressively pushing him. During the scuffle, the journalist fell before bystanders and event participants stepped in to separate those involved and de-escalate the situation. The confrontation did not result in any reported serious injuries, although it highlighted rising tensions between political groups and journalists operating in contested public spaces.
The attack has sparked reactions from press freedom advocates and journalism organisations, who argue that such physical interference with reporters at political events undermines press freedom and hampers journalists’ ability to document public life and hold power to account. In Colombia, where media workers have grappled with threats and violence linked to organised crime and political actors for decades, the incident in Villavicencio reflects ongoing risks faced by journalists covering elections, protests, and politically charged rallies.
Colombian authorities have not yet released an official statement regarding the confrontation or whether any investigation will be launched into the conduct of the Indigenous Guard members involved. Local reporters and civil society figures are urging law enforcement to ensure that journalists can perform their duties without fear of harassment or physical harm, highlighting that safeguarding press safety is essential for democratic engagement and transparency at critical political moments.
The episode comes amid growing awareness of journalist threats in Latin America, where reporters have historically faced a range of hazards while covering politics, corruption, and public security. Stakeholders say protective measures and clearer enforcement mechanisms are needed to prevent similar incidents and reinforce media freedoms ahead of future political events.
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