Colombia | August 08, 2023
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As reported by Info Vaticana on 6 June 2024, two men attacked Catholic priest Ramón Arturo Montejo and stole his vehicle in Ocaña, Norte de Santander, on 4 June 2024. He received fatal stab wounds and was deliberately run over. The car was later found abandoned.
World Watch Research analyst Rossana Ramirez comments: “The violent nature of Father Montejo’s death points to the dangers faced by those working for peace and justice in conflict-prone areas in Colombia. Father Montejo was known for his peace efforts and involvement in several hostage releases, and it is believed that he was specifically targeted for assassination – here masked as vehicle theft. This is always a danger in Colombia where the work of church leaders directly challenges the authority and interests of local criminal groups.”
Rossana Ramirez adds: “Another area with high rates of violent crime is Valle del Cauca, where Catholic leaders have openly accused criminal groups of ruining the lives of the general population and have called for peace and an end to the extortion, murders and other acts of violence being carried out (ADN Celam, 16 June 2024).”
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