Colombia Election Violence: Two Campaign Workers for Abelardo De La Espriella Killed Ahead of Presidential Vote

Political violence in Colombia has intensified after two campaign workers supporting right-wing presidential candidate Abelardo De La Espriella were killed just weeks before the country’s 2026 presidential election. The tragic incident occurred Friday night in the rural municipality of Cubarral, located in Meta province in southeastern Colombia.

According to the Defenders of the Homeland party, Rogers Mauricio Devia and Fabian Cardona were traveling by motorcycle from Villavicencio while transporting campaign materials when they were ambushed by four hooded gunmen riding motorcycles. The attackers reportedly intercepted the pair and opened fire, killing both men at the scene.

Devia, a former mayor of Cubarral, served as the coordinator of De La Espriella’s local campaign operations, while Cardona handled campaign logistics. The killings have raised fresh concerns about security and political tensions ahead of Colombia’s upcoming presidential election on May 31, 2026.

In a video statement, Abelardo De La Espriella condemned the attack, calling the murders “cowardly” and accusing dissident factions of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) of being responsible. However, Colombian authorities have not officially identified any armed group behind the shooting, and no evidence has yet been publicly presented linking the attack to rebel organizations.

De La Espriella, who currently ranks second in national polls behind leftist candidate Ivan Cepeda, has campaigned on a strong anti-crime and anti-guerrilla platform. His proposals include bombing rebel camps, combating drug trafficking, and resuming aerial fumigation of coca crops.

The candidate recently claimed there was an alleged sniper assassination plot targeting him involving members of government intelligence agencies. Colombians are preparing to elect a successor to President Gustavo Petro, with a runoff election scheduled for June 21 if no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote in the first round.