Suspected Assassin of Peruvian Journalist Gastón Medina Arrested in Chile

August 20, 2025 – Chile/Peru –

Olfran Domingo Rivas Ramos, alias “Pancho,” has been apprehended in Santiago, Chile, as a suspect in the January 20 assassination of Peruvian journalist Gastón Medina Sotomayor. Rivas Ramos was detained by Chilean authorities during a routine traffic stop in Maipú—even though he had been wanted in connection with Medina’s killing—after being found carrying drugs and using false identification. He allegedly admitted to belonging to the criminal gang Los Piratas de Aragua. His arrest holds significant promise for advancing justice in a case that has haunted Peruvian media freedom.

Medina, 60, owner and director of Ica-based Cadena Sur TV and radio, was well-known for his fearless reporting on local corruption. On the morning of his death, after concluding his daily broadcast, a man on a motorcycle fired 11 shots into Medina’s body, fatally hitting him in the thorax, wrist, and foot. His killing marked a tragic turning point—he was the first journalist killed in Peru since 2019. Medina had previously received numerous threats for his critical reporting, including mailed bullets and vandalism at his station.

In May, Peruvian law enforcement arrested another suspect, Pablo Javier Echevarría, identified as the alleged gunman. However, authorities have yet to confirm who ordered the hit, leaving motives and masterminds still unidentified, which highlights ongoing challenges in resolving the case fully.

The International Federation of Journalists and press freedom advocates have long urged Peru’s government to conduct a transparent, thorough investigation to signal a commitment to safeguarding media professionals. The capture of Rivas Ramos in Chile offers renewed hope for progress, yet many questions remain. Will this lead to rapid extradition and prosecution? Can this case overcome the culture of impunity that too often shields perpetrators of violence against journalists in Peru?

As Medina’s colleagues and observers await accountability, Rivas Ramos’s arrest may serve as a crucial step toward justice—and a warning that targeting journalists can no longer go unpunished. Let me know if you’d like coverage of global reactions or analysis of the wider impact on press freedom in Peru.

Reference – 

https://ground.news/article/allegedly-involved-in-the-murder-of-journalist-gaston-medina-arrested-in-chile

Suspected killer of Peruvian journalist Gastón Medina captured in Chile