00:00What is known about the murder of Miguel Castellanos Serrano, former Secretary of Government of Cúcuta?
00:05Castellanos, who was also a pre-candidate for mayor of Cúcuta, was murdered in
00:10on the afternoon of Monday, October 26, on the western ring road of the city.
00:15The homicide adds to concerns about the public order situation in Norte de Santander.
00:20Santander, where authorities have announced measures to address the violence.
00:24According to authorities, the former official was traveling in an armored SUV and
00:29He stopped at a gas station on his way home. Upon exiting the vehicle,
00:34A man shot him. Following the crime, the Ministry of Defense announced
00:38a reward of 100 million pesos for information that helps clarify the facts
00:43and capture those responsible. The incentive is offered in coordination with the Governor's office.
00:48from Norte de Santander and the mayor's office of Cúcuta. The National Police stated that they activated a
00:53The lockdown plan was implemented, and a specialized team of judicial police officers was deployed to advance the investigations.
00:59and to identify both the perpetrators and the masterminds.
01:03Authorities also called on citizens to turn in any
01:07Information that contributes to the clarification of the homicide, through line 123 of
01:13The National Police, under absolute secrecy.
01:15The Ombudsman's Office condemned the murder and expressed its solidarity with the family of
01:20Castilians and with the Cúcuta community. Furthermore, he requested the Attorney General's Office of the
01:25The nation will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation to establish the circumstances
01:30and the motives for the crime, as well as identifying and prosecuting those responsible.
01:35The organization also expressed its concern about the security conditions in Cúcuta.
01:40and Norte de Santander, and asked the National Government and territorial authorities to strengthen
01:45prevention and protection measures to avoid further acts of violence.
01:49The deaths of the Castilians occurred amidst other violent events recorded in the
01:54Metropolitan area of Cúcuta. On October 27th, an attack with explosives was registered.
02:00on the Francisco de Paula Santander bridge in Cúcuta, near the facilities of the
02:05DIAN. So far, at least six people have been reported injured, including four uniformed officers.
02:10those receiving medical care at hospitals in the area. Furthermore, last
02:15On August 31, at approximately 11:15 p.m., a car bomb attack was registered in front
02:21to the police station in the municipality of Los Patios. According to the report of the
02:26Police, one person died and 16 others were injured, nine civilians and seven uniformed officers.
02:32The explosion also caused damage to the station's infrastructure and to vehicles.
02:36On September 1st, President Abelardo de la Espriella chaired a security council meeting
02:43extraordinary session to analyze the public order situation and define measures to address the
02:47Violence in the department. During that meeting, the president assured that he would seek
02:52He pledged to restore security to the region and affirmed, "We are going to free this department from violence."
02:57by reason or by force. He also indicated that he would not allow the alleged alliances between
03:02some regional leaders or political leaders and criminal structures.
