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School teacher Eliecer Guevara and peace counselor Deivis Junco were both murdered in 2024
Article written by Gabriela Arrazola, Maria Jose Bossio, Valentina Perez & Gabriela Vargas
In Colombia, the figures for attacks, threats, and violence directed at social leaders and human rights defenders are alarming. In 2023, 181 deaths were recorded, of which 160 were men and 21 were women (Defensoría del Pueblo, 2023). Generally coming from rural areas, these leaders dedicate themselves to raising their voices and defending crucial issues such as territory, equality, and justice. However, their courageous work places them in a position of risk. According to the Universidad de los Andes (n.d.), some of the reasons for these crimes include their opposition to the interests of illegal armed groups, combined with changes brought about by programs agreed as part of the 2016 peace agreement with the FARC-EP, such as the substitution of illicit crops, which have generated imbalances in territorial control, thus exposing leaders to threats aimed at silencing their commitment to the community. As a result, they are forced to live in a state of vulnerability. Furthermore, social leaders may also be exposed to threats due to other factors in society, such as a climate of insecurity in towns and cities or other acts of intolerance based on prejudices in society. One sector of the population that has historically faced marginalization and violence in the country is the LGBTQ+ community. Social leaders who are part of, or who represent, this community may face challenges and threats due to the intersectionality of their identities. This situation is often exacerbated by questionable media coverage in relation to cases of violence against leaders, where superficial or superfluous information is favored over a deeper analysis of cases when they occur. The murders of social leaders in Colombia represent a serious issue that must be addressed to mitigate violence and the lack of cohesion in the country. The issue of intersectionality and media coverage also needs to be better analyzed, so that the roots of these problems can be targeted. This text will explore these issues by focusing on the tragic assassinations of Eliecer Guevara Rojas and Deivis Junco Hernández, which reflect this crisis and the urgency of protecting those who defend the rights of their communities.
The first case to look at is that of Eliecer Gevara Rojas. Eliecer was recognized as a social leader for his invaluable role as social sciences teacher at the 'Institution Educativa La Esperanza' in Valledupar, and for his efforts to advocate for the rights of teachers and students as a member of the Cesar Teachers Association (ADUCESAR). He was born in 1969 in Manaure, Cesar, and he had dedicated his entire life to community development until his death. Tragically, he became the 24th leader (at the time) to be assassinated in 2024. On February 25th, he was killed under uncertain circumstances in his own home in the La Floresta neighborhood of Valledupar (INDEPAZ, 2024). According to El Universal, the professor was found gagged and naked inside his bedroom. However, there were no signs of physical violence, so it is presumed that the cause of his death was mechanical asphyxiation. Furthermore, on February 26th, the Police Department of Cesar notified to the community regarding the capture of a young man accused of having killed Eliecer, with the alleged reason being a robbery. It has been argued that the perpetrators used his trust and sexuality to gain access to his house. FECODE (the union of Colombian school teachers) issued a statement to support the Cesar Teachers Association (ADUCESAR) for this ruthless crime committed against the teacher. There was also widespread condemnation in Valledupar for the inhumane way in which the teacher's life was ended, and Eliecer is remembered by his students as a person of integrity, dedicated to sharing his knowledge and always supporting his students and the community. In this context, it's important to mention, as Martha Alfonso, vice president of FECODE, argues, that teachers have been subjected to ongoing persecution (El Tiempo, 2020). Sadly, it is not only teachers who face risks in society.
On the other hand, there is the case of Deivis Enrique Junco Hernández, who was dedicated to peacebuilding, and worked tirelessly as the Counselor for Peace, Reconciliation, and Conciliation. In addition to his role as a public official in the Lorica Government Secretariat, where he supported the Citizen Income Program, he was also a valued member of the LGBTQ+ community (Caribe Afirmativo, 2024). His commitment and presence made a meaningful impact on those he served and worked with. Deivis, who was 43 years old, disappeared on March 5th. He was later found dead in the Las Estancias area of Lorica, Córdoba. The Cordoberxia Foundation (2024) issued a statement indicating that Junco's body was found with signs of violence and that the peace counselor had been murdered. The death of Deivis Junco shocked the community and raised alarms about the growing violence against social leaders and activists in Colombia, especially in regions such as Córdoba, where the activity of illegal armed groups and social conflict continue to be an ongoing threat. Local and international organizations have pointed out the lack of security guarantees for leaders who, like Junco, seek to promote peace and defend human rights. These cases represent the sacrifice of those seeking to build a more inclusive and just country, and their loss is a reminder of the risks faced daily by peace activists and human rights defenders in the country.
While Eliecer and Deivis worked in different areas, both were recognized as social leaders due to the nature of their professional responsibilities. Furthermore, it seems that the sexuality of both victims was a factor in the way both were cruelly targeted. The situation of the LGBTQ+ community in Colombia also reflects a panorama of vulnerability and risk, marked by violence and discrimination. According to the statistics from 2022, gay men are the most affected, with 2,444 reported cases of aggression against the LGBTQ+ community. They are followed by lesbian women, with 1,207 victims. Trans individuals have also been severely impacted, recording 515 cases. Bisexual men reported 478 victims, while bisexual women totaled 440. Other identities report a total of 318 victimisations and, finally, there are 89 cases of unidentified identities. (Caribe Afirmativo, 2023). This community suffered immensely during the years of armed conflict in Colombia, as armed groups controlled territories and imposed patriarchal norms, leading to stigmatization, persecution, and sexual violence against LGBTIQ+ individuals. (Comisión de la Verdad, n.d). The numbers previously stated indicate the level of intolerance that still exists in the country towards this community. Furthermore, violence has been concentrated among activist members of the community; with social leaders working in defense of the LGBTQ+ community such as Deivis Junco being one such example. This demonstrates that these incidents are not merely isolated acts of hatred; rather, they reveal deeply rooted patterns of discrimination and prejudice, where victims are systematically chosen based on their sexual orientation or gender identity (Fundación Paz y Reconciliación, 2023). This reflects a call to action to end and combat these behaviors that show the hostility and discrimination present in the territory.
The risks faced by the LGBTQ+ community are exacerbated by the way the media covers these crimes. Media bias often presents itself via a focus on sensational parts of a story to grab the public’s attention. As UNAB University (2020) explains, sensationalism in the media is a technique or style that presents and interprets reality in a way that aims to create an impression, emotion, and reaction in the audience. And this trend can be seen in Colombia, where media reports often emphasize details like a social leader’s sexual orientation or the tragic way they died, instead of their contributions to the community. For example, in the case of Eliecer Guevara—a social sciences teacher and leader—headlines highlighted that he was found gagged and naked in his home, while there was little mention of his years of work as a teacher and union member who fought for students’ rights. Similarly, in covering Deivis Junco’s death, the media focused on the brutality of his murder and his identity as part of the LGBTQ+ community but barely mentioned his important role as a peace counselor and his work with the Citizen Income Program in Lorica. This approach shifts the story from their sacrifices and achievements to sensational details, unintentionally making them seem less human. Additionally, both Eliecer and Deivis faced not only the risks inherent in their roles as social leaders but also the added dangers associated with being LGBTQ+ men in Colombia, where this community often endures higher levels of violence and discrimination.
When a crime against a social leader is reported in this way, it obscures the bigger picture of the systematic threats and violence these leaders face, overlooking the larger issues that put them at risk. For instance, although Eliecer’s death was reported as a robbery, the media often fail to explore how crimes against figures like Eliecer are often linked to the threats and harassment that social leaders, especially those from vulnerable groups, regularly experience. By focusing on individual details rather than the shared threats these leaders face, media coverage reduces the public’s understanding of the complexity and seriousness of these situations. This kind of reporting risks misrepresenting the legacy of social leaders like Eliecer and Deivis and takes attention away from critical issues like territorial control, human rights work, and the opposition faced by leaders from marginalized communities.
In conclusion, it is crucial to raise awareness and share the stories of social leaders like Eliecer Guevara and Deivis Junco, whose courageous work and identities put them at particular risk. Their murders leave a deep void in their communities, where they worked tirelessly as advocates for peace, education, and human rights. To honor their legacy, it is essential to push for concrete political actions that strengthen the protection of social leaders in Colombia, such as public policies and programs that safeguard not only their lives but also the well-being of their families in dangerous regions. In addition, authorities have a responsibility to ensure that protective measures for social leaders are not only designed but implemented effectively. This includes creating specialized protection programs that account for the unique risks faced by leaders, teachers, and LGBTQ+ individuals, and ensuring that resources are allocated to provide adequate security and support. Additionally, strengthening the judicial response to crimes against social leaders and ensuring thorough investigations and justice in these cases are critical steps to prevent further violence and impunity. Moreover, the media has a significant role to play in accurately portraying the lives and sacrifices of these leaders. Sensationalized reporting overlooks the broader struggles faced by teachers, social leaders, and members of the LGBTQ+ community, while more responsible coverage can shed light on the systemic issues these individuals combat daily. By emphasizing the contributions of figures like Eliecer and Deivis, the media can help to foster understanding, reduce prejudice, and generate societal change. Such efforts are vital for creating a safer and more inclusive environment, where those who choose to raise their voices are protected, respected, and celebrated.
References
Caribe Afirmativo. (2023). No se mata lo que no se olvida: Informe sobre la situación de los derechos humanos de personas LGBTIQ+ en Colombia 2022.
Caribe Afirmativo. (2024, March 8). Hallan sin vida a Deivy Junco, consejero de paz en Lorica. https://caribeafirmativo.lgbt/hallan-sin-vida-a-deivy-junco-consejero-de-paz-en-lorica/
Comisión de la Verdad. (n.d.). Afectaciones a la población indígena LGBTIQ+. https://www.comisiondelaverdad.co/afectaciones-la-poblacion-indigena-lgbtiq
Defensoría del Pueblo. (2023). Durante el 2023 en Colombia fueron asesinados 181 líderes sociales y defensores de derechos humanos. https://www.defensoria.gov.co/-/durante-el-2023-en-colombia-fueron-asesinados-181-l%C3%ADderes-sociales-y-defensores-de-derechos-humanos
El Tiempo. (2020, September 9). Fecode responderá judicialmente a acusación de vínculos con las Farc. https://www.eltiempo.com/vida/educacion/fecode-respondera-judicialmente-a-acusacion-de-vinculos-con-las-farc-535990
Fundación Cordobexian (2024) #URGENTE Asesinan al Consejero de Paz: DEIBY JUNCO HERNADEZ en Lorica - Córdoba. [X] https://x.com/cordoberxia/status/1765712299304600045
Fundación Paz y Reconciliación. (2023). Boletín: violencia contra la población LGTBIQ en Colombia. https://www.pares.com.co/post/bolet%C3%ADn-violencia-contra-la-poblaci%C3%B3n-lgtbiq-en-colombia
Guevara C. (2020). La defensa de los líderes sociales está en cuidados intensivos. Razón pública. https://razonpublica.com/la-defensa-los-lideres-sociales-esta-cuidados-intensivos/
Universidad de los Andes. (n.d.). ¿Qué se sabe de los asesinatos de líderes sociales? https://www.uniandes.edu.co/es/noticias/economia-y-negocios/que-se-sabe-de-los-asesinatos-de-lideres-sociales
Universidad UNAB. (2020). El sensacionalismo informativo como fenómeno noticioso asociado a los medios de comunicación contemporáneos. https://unab.edu.co/el-sensacionalismo-informativo-como-fenomeno-noticioso-asociado-a-los-medios-de-comunicacion-contemporaneos/
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