Roman Catholic priest released after over a month of disappearance

A Roman Catholic priest who had been missing for more than a month after being abducted in Viotá Municipality, Cundinamarca Department, Colombia on 17 June, has been released.

The Order of Saint Augustine confirmed on Sunday 27 July that Father Carlos Saúl Jaimes Guerrero had been released and is currently in good health and under the care of his religious community.

Father Jaimes Guerrero, 30, who serves in the Parish of Saint Monica in Bogotá, was travelling to an appointment in the Viotá region when he was allegedly taken by unknown armed actors. Details surrounding his disappearance and release remain unclear, and no group has claimed responsibility. His reappearance followed persistent calls for an investigation from both church authorities and public appeals by human rights advocates.

The Order of Saint Augustine has expressed gratitude to those who prayed and advocated for his return, while requesting privacy and time to recover. The order has asked the public and press to respect this period of rest and reflection.

Father Jaimes Guerrero’s followed that of eight religious and social leaders who never returned from meetings to which they were summoned by an illegal armed group operating in Calamar Municipality, Guaviare Department, on 4 and 5 April, and whose bodies were discovered in a mass grave in a rural part of the municipality on 1 July.

CSW’s Director of Advocacy Anna Lee Stangl said: ‘CSW welcomes the release of Father Carlos Saúl Jaimes, though we remain concerned that he was disappeared in the first place. We call on the government of Colombia to recognize the specific vulnerability of religious leaders by ensuring their access to government protection programs and security mechanisms.’