On Tuesday (July 1) Colombian authorities discovered mass graves containing the bodies of eight Christian leaders in Calamar, Guabiare Province, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
Originally from the Arauca Bureau, Christian leaders were performing humanitarian and spiritual work in the area when they disappeared. They had been summoned in early April by the Armando Rios Front under the militant revolutionary forces of Colombia (FARC), particularly the rebel leader known as Ivan Mordisco.
The killing was said to be intended to stop the appearance of a cell in the rival Rebel National Liberation Army (ELN) cell, but authorities found no evidence of a link between the victims and the guerrilla group.
The bodies were identified as those of James Caseko, Óscar García, Máryuri Hernández, Maribel Silva, Isaid Gómez, Carlos Valero, Nixon Peñaloza and Gesús Valero.
According to Christian Solidarity (CSW) around the World, Penaroza was a DEAC Treasurer. Gomez and his wife Silva were preachers who left their two small children behind. Caiceco, a former pastor of the Foursquare Church (ICCG), continued his service in the area.
“They all had fled Arauca years ago due to threats from armed groups, church closures and attacks on pastors,” CSW said after the initial loss on April 4-5.
The discovery of the mass grave was attributed to the capture of the guerrilla in May, whose phones contained photographs of the detained leader, and later photographs of the crime, allowing them to find the grave and proceed with the excavation.
Christians are often chosen for attacks, according to a 2025 World Surveillance Report of 50 countries that are the hardest to become Christians as they oppose Colombia’s powerful drug cartels and guerrilla groups.
“Church leaders are particularly at risk as they are seen as competing for influence over young people, often targeted by guerrilla groups,” says the Christian support group. “In some Indigenous communities, Christian preachers and indigenous converts can face intense hostility as they are seen as traitors who betray the tribe and community.”
Colombia ranks 46th in the 2025 WWL.
The Colombian Evangelical Union (CEDECOL) strongly condemned crime and solidarity with the victims’ families and the Christian community and lamented the losses.
“We ask for prayers for peace and comfort in these families,” Sedkol’s statement read. “We scream and demand that the authorities ensure that these crimes are not punished, that investigations will proceed quickly, and that genuine assurances are provided for the lives and integrity of those who exercise spiritual leadership in the most vulnerable parts of the country.”
Cedecol also reaffirmed Colombian commitment to the defense of life, truth, justice and peace, and called for prayers for the restoration of Colombian social fabric and comfort for those struck by this tragedy. The statement was concluded by recalling Matthew 5:10. “Those who have been persecuted for righteousness are blessed.”
The President’s condemnation
Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the murder and called it a serious human rights violation. He urged the strengthening of the existence of national and security in territories that have historically been affected by armed conflict.
One of the victims said that the Peter regime “has existed and to avoid these types of situations, there is no response from the state and there is no protection from the state as the peasants are now caught up in the centre as they are currently fighting for territory to avoid these types of situations.
International organisations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) also spoke out, warning that such crimes would “silence essential voices” in communities, and that deepening the humanitarian crisis in rural areas.
The mayor of Karama said the population felt “sole” and urged the government to intervene rather than be distracted by the celebration. According to Elle Pais, he quickly turned his attention to the serious security crisis his community was facing.
Public order is a problem as rebels are even threatening mayors of local governments within the department, and officials do nothing.
According to the Development Institute (IndePaz), the killings will make up for Colombia’s biggest massacre this year. Over 30 multiple murders have been recorded in rural areas, particularly in areas where there is a territorial dispute between the FARC dissidents and the ELN.
Guaviare was a scene of repeated clashes between rebel leaders Mordisco and another group known as Cararca. On January 20th, the bodies were reported to have arrived at the morgue after a fierce battle, exposing the surprising vulnerabilities of social and religious leaders in the area managed by illegally armed groups.
