Colombia: IACHR and its SRFOE condemn attack against journalist Gustavo Chicangana and urge the State to strengthen protection measures amid escalating threats

July 24, 2025

Washington, DC—The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and its Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (SRFOE) condemn the attack against journalist Gustavo Chicangana Álvarez and his wife Ana Milena Torres in the department of Guaviare. They urge the Colombian authorities to investigate the incident, guarantee the safety of the journalist, his family, and colleagues, and conduct an urgent assessment of the effectiveness of the protection measures provided by the National Protection Unit (UNP) with a view to strengthening them.

According to public information, on July 5, journalist and director of the radio station Guaviare Estéreo, Gustavo Chicangana Álvarez, and his wife Ana Milena Torres were victims of an attack by an unknown individual in front of their home in San José del Guaviare, in the department of Guaviare. Chicangana Álvarez has been a beneficiary of UNP protection measures since 2013, after receiving threats related to his work as a journalist.

According to civil society organizations, the attack took place despite the fact that, during 2025, the journalist reported new threats and intimidation, allegedly from illegal armed groups, and requested that his protection scheme be strengthened in light of the increased risk.

The State informed the IACHR that, following the attack, the Ombudsman took steps to have the journalist transferred to a hospital in Bogotá and receive immediate medical attention. In addition, in coordination with the Delegate for the Protection of Rights in Digital Environments and Freedom of Expression (DADLE), the UNP protection protocol was activated for Mr. Chicangana and, together with the Regional Delegate, the director of Guaviare Estéreo was contacted to assess the safety of the journalistic team. As for the member of the media who remains in San José del Guaviare, the State indicated that it is in constant contact and coordinating the necessary actions to facilitate his transfer.

The IACHR and its SRFOE take note of the statements made by high-level State authorities, who have strongly condemned the attack and requested that the investigations be conducted swiftly. They also note, based on official information, the arrest of two individuals allegedly linked to the attack, who have been charged with attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms.

Notwithstanding the above, the Commission expresses its concern at reports indicating possible deficiencies in the effectiveness of the protection measures assigned, as well as the limited institutional capacity of the UNP to adequately assess the level of risk and respond in a timely manner to threats that have already been reported.

The attack against the journalist occurred in a context of growing violence and deterioration of public order in Guaviare, resulting from the confrontation between illegal armed groups, some of which are participating in peace talks with the government. The IACHR emphasizes that the State has a heightened obligation to protect those who face special risks to their fundamental rights, such as journalists, human rights defenders, and those who actively participate in the public and political life of the country.

With regard to journalists working in areas of armed conflict in Colombia, the SRFOE has noted that they face high risks as they are caught between confrontations and pressure from armed groups and criminal organizations. This situation has led to forced displacement, censorship, and self-censorship, as well as a hostile environment for the exercise of journalism, significantly limiting access to information in communities affected by violence.

In light of the above, the IACHR urges the Colombian State to adopt the necessary measures to protect the journalist, his family, and other employees of Estéreo Guaviare, as well as to continue the investigation to identify and punish all those responsible.

It also urges the competent authorities responsible for protection —particularly the UNP— to carry out a thorough, technical, and exhaustive evaluation of the effectiveness and adequacy of protection measures and risk assessment protocols and procedures, in order to identify and correct possible deficiencies and ensure an adequate response to the growing threats reported.

Finally, it calls on the State to uphold the highest standards when it comes to safeguarding and enabling the work of journalists, especially in conflict-affected areas and regions where peace negotiations with illegal armed groups are taking place.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous organ of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate derives from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has the mandate to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this field. The IACHR is composed of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

The Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (SRFOE) is an office created by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to promote the defense of the right to freedom of thought and expression in the hemisphere, considering its fundamental role in the consolidation and development of the democratic system.

No. 147/25

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