Colombian pastor and family attacked after Sunday service

A Protestant pastor in northern Colombia was killed, along with two family members, after his family was attacked whilst they were having lunch after attending a religious service on 29 December.The youngest member of the family was injured.

Armed gunmen on a motorcycle fired repeatedly at the family of Pastor Marlon Lora, (43), before fleeing the scene, instantly killing him, his wife Yurlay Rincon, (40), and his daughter Ángela, (24). The youngest family member, his son Santiago, (21), is severely injured and under reserved prognosis. The attack occurred just meters away from the national police station in Aguachica, Cesar Department, prompting a swift response from the authorities.

Pastor Marlon Lora and his wife, Yurlay Rincon, led the Prince of Peace Villaparaguay Church, part of the Missionaries Biblical Churches (IBM) denomination. Pastor Lora held a leadership role overseeing 35 urban and rural churches across Aguachica, Pelaya, San Alberto, San Martin, and other regions in Santander, frequently traveling to support these congregations.

Pastor Giovanni Bermúdez, the couple’s immediate supervisor, told CSW that Pastor Lora had expressed concerns about possible threats to another pastor, though he had not provided details. Pastor Bermúdez said: ‘Marlon was like many of us pastors—we keep quiet about many things so that everything runs smoothly, even while we carry heavy burdens inside.’

Speaking with CSW, Pastor Divanit Alfonso Calle, President of the Association of Pastors of Aguachica, highlighted that Pastor Lora’s role as member of the board within the organization had not caused any conflicts or threats. On the contrary, he and his family were well-loved by the Christian community in the municipality. The couple’s children were active in the local church and led ordinary lives. His daughter Ángela worked as a communications and journalism professional for Aguachica’s public utilities company, while his son Santiago is a systems engineering student.

The Office of the Ombudsman in Colombia has warned of a worrying trend of rising religious freedom violations targeting religious leaders. According to the institution, between January and September 2024, incidents infringing on the right to freedom of religion or belief increased by 31%, rising from 13 cases in 2023 to 17 in 2024. Specifically, death threats saw a staggering 50% increase, from four cases in 2023 to eight in 2024.

The murder of Pastor Marlon Lora and his family is not an isolated case. On 13 November 2024, brothers Ever and Gerson García Vélez, active members of a faith community in Valle del Cauca, were murdered by three men on their own farm. On 11 November, evangelical pastor Salvador Zapateiro Mercado was killed under suspicious and unexplained circumstances in Cartagena while watching a football match at a local shop. On 14 August, the home of pastoral couple Rodian Rodriguez and Kelly Medina was set on fire by neighbours angered by the religious gatherings they held outside their residence.

Religious communities will take part in a march for peace on 30 December in Aguachica, calling for the lives of religious leaders to be respected, and for their protection and right to freedom of religion or belief.

CSW’s Director of Advocacy Anna Lee Stangl said: ‘CSW extends our deepest condolences to the family of Pastor Marlon Lora for their loss. Despite the grave dangers faced by religious leaders, the Colombian government has stripped them of their status within the National Protection System. As the government continues its post-conflict negotiations with the armed groups, including the National Liberation Army (ELN), which is known to target religious leaders in areas where it operates – such as the Aguachica region – we urge the government to recognise victims from the religious sector within the framework of the individual peace accords. The Colombian government must also ensure protection for religious leaders, who remain at risk of violence and intimidation because of their role as peacemakers in their communities.’