City councilman assassinated in Colombia-Venezuela border town

(Photo: ADN)

Liberal “Green Alliance” councilman Donaldo Sanchez Lizarazo was assassinated Thursday in the eastern state of Arauca marking the 10th councilman assassination in Colombia this year.

Sanchez was shot by two unidentified hitmen in his home town of Saravena, which is right next to the border of Colombia and Venezuela.  The councilman was filling up his car at a gas station.

Sanchez was serving his second terms on the city council of the municipality, and had been endorsed this time by the liberal Green Alliance party.

Saravena’s mayor, Jhon Peña, told local media that the late councilman had received threats from Colombia’s second largest guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN).

While just 10 councilmen have been assassinated this year, more than 5,000 have received threats.

Saravena, Arauca

Sources

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