In northern Colombia, a tragic incident occurred when a respected Evangelical pastor and two of his family members were fatally shot following a church service. Pastor Marlon Lora, who led the Prince of Peace Villaparaguay Church, along with his wife, Yorley Rincon, and their 24-year-old daughter, Angela Lora Rincón, were targeted by a gunman on a motorcycle. Their son, Santiago Lora Rincón, sustained injuries during the attack.
Pastor Lora and his family were affiliated with the Missionaries Biblical Churches (IBM) denomination, and he was responsible for overseeing nearly thirty churches in both urban and rural areas throughout the country. Pastor Giovanni Bermúdez, Lora’s supervisor, noted that the pastor had expressed concerns about his safety in the weeks leading up to the incident, highlighting that other local pastors had also received threats.
“Marlon was like many of us pastors — we often remain silent about various issues to maintain peace, even while bearing significant internal struggles,” Bermúdez remarked. The family was deeply cherished within their Christian community. Alfonso Calle, president of the Association of Pastors of Aguachica, emphasized Lora’s popularity and the affection the community held for him. In response to the tragedy, the Colombian government has offered a reward of up to 50 million pesos (approximately $11,000) for information regarding the murders.
In light of the violence, Mayor Greisy Roqueme imposed a curfew in the town. “We cannot permit violence to rob us of our hope, and I urge the National Government, the Minister of Defense, and the Public Force to focus their efforts on the department of Cesar, particularly in the municipality of Aguachica,” Roqueme stated. Colombia is ranked as the 34th most dangerous country globally for Christians facing persecution.
The incident has also garnered the attention of President Gustavo Petro and Alexander Jaimes, Director of Religious Affairs at the Ministry of the Interior. Jaimes expressed, “We extend our condolences to the families of the victims and the religious community.” Anna Lee Stangl, a proponent of Christian rights, called on authorities to “ensure the protection of religious leaders, who remain vulnerable to violence and intimidation due to their roles.”
She stated that as the government engages in post-conflict discussions with armed groups, including the National Liberation Army (ELN), which is known for its attacks on religious leaders in regions such as Aguachica, it is imperative for the government to acknowledge victims from the religious community within the context of the individual peace accords.
Other Christians have also faced violence. Ever and Gerson Garcia Velez, brothers who were members of a church in Valle Del Cauca, were murdered by three assailants on their property. Pastor Salvador Zapateiro Mercado was killed under troubling circumstances in Cartagena. Earlier this year, the residence of a pastoral couple was set on fire by neighbors who were displeased with the religious services conducted outside their home.
A watchdog organization cautions that church leaders are persistently subjected to harassment, extortion, and murder due to the ongoing violence stemming from territorial disputes among armed guerrillas, drug cartels, and other militant groups. “Christians in these regions who dare to publicly address issues of corruption and violence are at risk of retaliation for their courageous stance. Likewise, church leaders who denounce criminal activities in their sermons may also become targets.”
