Father of Colombian Vice President emerges unscathed from armed attack

Francia Márquez’ father (centre) during the rescue operation after the armed attack. Photo: X/ @WRadioColombia

By: Alvaro Cuesta

June 16, 2024 Time: 7:30 p.m.

Sigifredo Márquez Trujillo, the father of Colombian Vice President France Márquez, was unharmed while traveling between the departments of Cauca and Valle del Cauca in the southwest of the country, according to official sources.

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The attack occurred as Márquez Trujillo was traveling with the vice president’s nephew between the towns of Timba in the troubled department of Cauca and the hamlet of Robles, a rural area of Jamundí (Valle del Cauca).

On a day when Father’s Day is celebrated in Colombia, the vice president said: “It hurts my heart that my father was attacked just today. I report that my father, along with my 6-year-old nephew and the two men who were guarding him, were attacked on the Suarez-Cali road, near Timba. Fortunately, they were unharmed and are doing well.”

I duel with my heart, because only on this day am I afraid of my father.

I reported that my father, my six-year-old son and the two men who were protecting me had attempted an attack on the Suárez-Cali route, near Timba, but luckily they had blown up the holes of the attack and had escaped…

— Francia Marquez Mina (@FranciaMarquezM) June 16, 2024

“It hurts my heart that my father was attacked just today. I report that my father, along with my 6-year-old nephew and the two policemen, were attacked on the Suárez-Cali road, near Timba. Fortunately, they were unharmed and are doing well. I express my concern for the security of Cauca, Valle del Cauca, the municipality of Suárez and the district of La Toma, as well as for the safety of my community and my family. I call on @FiscaliaCol to initiate the appropriate investigations to clarify these facts. @mindefensa is taking the necessary measures to increase the presence of the military and police forces that help ensure security in Cauca and Valle del Cauca. At this difficult time, I appeal to all of Colombia to join efforts to lead our society to peace. If we work together, we can reverse this chapter of pain and violence.“

For its part, the military command said that “according to initial information, the vehicle in which she (the officer’s father) was traveling through the Timba sector was hit by gunfire four times. Fortunately, there were no regrettable consequences.”

“A hug of solidarity for Vice President France Marquez for the attack on her father. I call on the authorities to initiate the appropriate investigations,” wrote Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, while his press office confirmed in a statement that the vice president’s father was unharmed.

“Attacks against civilians constitute a blatant violation of international law and human rights. It is unacceptable that armed groups in the region continue to use disproportionate violence and terror as a means of war,” the presidential office added.

In Cauca and the neighbouring department of Valle del Cauca, there are signs of an intensification of armed conflict and direct violence, not only due to the presence and territorial control of the groups there, but also due to the infiltration of other illegal armed structures into these areas.

Author: ACJ

Source: EFE // X: @FranciaMarquezM – @petrogustavo

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