Eleven Christian Leaders Murdered or Disappeared in Colombia in 18 Months: CSW Demands Government Restore Protection

Pastor José Otoniel Ortega Shot at New Year Celebration as Mass Grave Reveals Eight Religious Leaders Killed by FARC Offshoot

Christian Solidarity Worldwide has launched a petition demanding the Colombian government restore special protection for religious leaders after at least 11 pastors and Christian leaders were murdered, disappeared, or kidnapped since December 2024.

One of the victims, Pastor José Otoniel Ortega, was shot dead by gunmen during a New Year celebration. A mass grave later uncovered the remains of eight religious and social leaders, six men and two women, murdered by Frente Armando Ríos, a FARC offshoot.

Colombia Christian Leaders Targeted by Armed Groups After Government Removes Protection

The crisis began in 2023 when the Colombian government removed religious leaders from its vulnerability lists, eliminating their access to security programmes. CSW's Director of Advocacy Anna Lee Stangl issued a clear warning: "Religious leaders are obvious targets for illegal armed groups."

The petition targets Decrees 1066 and the National Protection System, and will be presented to Colombia's next president after the elections scheduled for 31 May 2026.

Christian leaders are routinely targeted because they are the conscience of communities armed groups want to dominate. Without state protection, they are easy targets.

The Crusader's Opinion

Eleven pastors in eighteen months. A mass grave outside a Colombian village. The Colombian government's decision in 2023 to remove religious leaders from vulnerability lists is a death warrant signed in the bureaucracy of indifference. Pastor José Otoniel Ortega was shot at a New Year celebration. Eight more were buried in a mass grave by a FARC offshoot. Whoever wins the 31 May election in Bogotá will inherit this body count. The first thing they should do is sign back the protection. Pray they do.

Take Action

• Sign: Christian Solidarity Worldwide Colombia petition
• Donate: CSW to fund continued advocacy for Colombian Christian leaders
• Pray: For the families of Pastor Ortega and the eight victims of the mass grave
• Contact: The Colombian Embassy demanding restoration of religious leader protection
• Share: The 11 pastors statistic and refuse to let the names be forgotten