Ricardo de Jesus Martinez Torres, the brother of Colombia’s Mining and Energy Minister Hernan Martinez, was assassinated on Tuesday night while driving between Cartagena and the northern town of Turbaco, in the Bolivar department.
According to reports, Martinez was driving over a bridge near Turbaco, which is 20km from Cartagena, when he was shot by gunmen at 10.30 PM.
Martinez died immediately, and his wife, who was traveling with him, was seriously wounded.
Cartagena’s chief of police, Coronel Hugo Casas, announced that Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has offered a $25,000 reward for any information that leads to the assailant’s arrest.
The Colombian president also said that he will be traveling to Cartagena to meet with the family of the assassinated man, to offer his condolences and support.