Central Colombia mayor candidate survives murder attempt

A mayoral candidate for the capital city of the central Risaralda department survived an assassination attempt, Colombian media reported Thursday.

Enrique Vasquez, a candidate from the coalition of the Partido de la U. and the Green Party, was driving a van near his home in Pereira when a bullet struck the driver-side door.

Vasquez was traveling with a police officer as part of his security plan. No one was harmed in the attack.

“I can only say that the people of Pereira will not allow our future to be robbed through fear. To paraphrase [former] President Uribe -who suffered seven attacks during his first campaign- Pereira may be threatened, but it does not give up,” said Vasquez in a press statement.

Authorities are trying to determine who is responsible for the attack. No arrests have been reported.

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