The Colombian army will investigate the murder on the husband of indigenous
leader Ayda Quilcue who was killed when an army patrol opened
fire on the car he was driving.
Edwin Legarda was shot dead while driving the car of his wife, who was one of the organizer of indigenous protests in October and November. One of the reasons for the indigenous revolt was the continuous death threats aimed at and murders of indigenous leaders.
Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos acknowledged Edwin Legarda was killed by army bullets and said he will investigate the incident as soon as possible.
“We asked the Prosecutor General and the Attorney General to send a special commission to the area to conduct the necessary criminal and disciplinary investigations. We offered them all the support they may need,” the Minister said in a press statement.
General Justo Eliceo Pena, commander of the army in Cauca where Legarda was shot, said that the army opened fire on the vehicle because the driver had ignored stop signs.
According to indigenous leader Ayda Quilcue, the bullets were meant for her.