Gunshot Warning in Colombia: Veteran Journalist Survives Assassination Attempt, Press Freedom on Edge

December 03, 2025 – Colombia – 

An assassination attempt on veteran Colombian journalist Edmundo “Pepo” Cruz has reignited fears about threats against the press — while also triggering defiance and calls for protection among media and human-rights groups.

Cruz, a respected labour-rights reporter and outspoken critic of corruption, was shot at point-blank range outside his home in Bogota on the evening of December 2, 2025. The bullet narrowly missed vital arteries, but left him wounded. He was quickly hospitalised and underwent emergency surgery. Details remain incomplete, as neither police nor prosecutors have named a suspect, nor confirmed whether the attack is linked to his reporting.

The attempted murder sent shockwaves throughout Colombia’s journalistic community. Members of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and several civil-society organisations condemned the assault, demanding prompt and transparent investigation, protection for Cruz, and justice.

For many colleagues, the attack is terrifying but underscores the dangerous environment for reporters in Colombia. Cruz — known for exposing labour exploitation, environmental abuses, and links between corporate interests and political figures — had publicly reported threats in past months. Some believe the gunfire was a direct retaliation for his investigative work.

The episode adds to a grim record: Colombia has long been ranked among the world’s deadliest countries for journalists. According to CPJ, dozens of journalists have been killed or disappeared over the last decade — often after investigating corruption, violence, or human-rights abuses.

Several journalist unions and rights-watch groups have urged the Colombian government to fulfill its international obligations to safeguard press freedom. They argue that without state-backed protection mechanisms, reporters will continue to face attacks, violence, and self-censorship.

Cruz himself — released from the hospital but still recovering — has vowed not to be silenced. In a statement made from his bedside, he said, “They shot me so I would stop writing. But as long as I draw breath, I will keep telling the truth.” His words have resonated widely, turning him into a symbol of resilience amidst danger.

The shooting raises urgent questions: Will Colombian authorities protect journalists fairly and investigate this attack? Or will the silence that too often follows such crimes continue — deepening a climate of fear in which the truth becomes a risk.

Reference – 

https://havanatimes.org/sos-for-journalist/colombia-attempted-murder-of-a-journalist-stirs-fear/

The attempted murder of a veteran journalist stirs fear, defiance in Colombia