In the municipality of Taraza, Department of Antioquia, a group of armed men have murdered Miguel Perez, a campesino leader and member of the leftist Patriotic March party who had been promoting the substitution of illicit crops in the area.
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Perez was a member of the Bajo Cauca Peasant Association, of COCCAM Tarazá, and president of the sub-directive Canyon of the Church, ANZORC.
With this latest assassination, the Patriotic March said 125 social leaders and human rights defenders have been killed so far in 2017, of which 17 were involved promoting the replacement of illicit crops as part of the peace deal signed between FARC guerrillas and the Colombian government.
El día de hoy fue Asesinado Miguel Pérez en Tarazá, integrante de @marchapatriota y de @COCCAMColombia
— David Flórez (@DavidFlorezMP) 22 de octubre de 2017
Paro nacional absolutamente necesario
Also on Sunday, another person injured on Oct. 5 in Tumaco succumbed to injuries. Ivan Dario Muñoz Echeverria is now the ninth fatality from the deadly attack from the Esmad police on campesinos protesting the government's policies on coca subsitution.
In the Guaviare department, three campesino's were injured by gunfire from the Antinarcotics Police in the municipality of El Retorno.