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The case of Armando Rivero and the threats faced by teachers and social leaders in Colombia
- Libertad Sublime
- Feb 21
- 6 min read
Article written by Catalina Delgado, Cristian Navarro & Genesis Rivera
The landscape for social leaders in Colombia is fraught with violence and intimidation. These leaders, among whom a significant number are educators, play a pivotal role in advocating for human rights and fostering community development. Despite their contributions, public perception of the crimes against them is often shaped by a mix of fear, misinformation, and indifference. The violence against social leaders has been persistent and alarming, with over 1,200 human rights defenders and social leaders killed since 2016 (the UN). However, other sources claim the figure is even higher. This violence is often perpetrated by armed groups involved in drug trafficking and organized crime. Public perception is further complicated by the lack of effective government protection and the normalization of such violence in many communities. While many experts have highlighted the systematic nature of these killings, others have trivialized the issue. In 2017, the then Minister of Defense, Luis Carlos Villegas, controversially claimed that the murders of social leaders were due to various reasons like personal disputes, such as “lovers quarrels”, among others, and that they did not represent a systematic attack. This dismissive remark trivialized the serious threats faced by leaders and undermined efforts to address the systemic violence against them, drawing widespread criticism in the process. What is true however, is that these crimes are related to a broad and complex set of circumstances which means the lives of those striving for a better society often end up in danger. This text explores the multifaceted challenges faced by social leaders in Colombia, particularly highlighting the importance of educators in society. It will do this by primarily focusing the case of one such leader and educator: Armando Rivero Manjarres.
Armando Rivero Manjarres was a respected educator, journalist, and cultural promoter. He held the position as principal of a school in the municipality of Guaranda, Sucre, where he was known for his dedication to education and community development. Additionally, he played a significant role in the National Gaitas Festival in Ovejas, promoting cultural heritage and local traditions. The National Gaitas Festival, held annually in Ovejas, Sucre, is a vibrant celebration of Colombia’s rich musical heritage, particularly the traditional gaita music. Established in 1985, the festival honors the legacy of Francisco Llirene, a renowned gaita player, and has grown to become a significant cultural event. It serves as a platform for preserving and promoting the indigenous musical traditions of the Zenú culture, which historically inhabited the region. The event attracts hundreds of participants and thousands of visitors each year. Tragically, Armando was kidnapped and murdered in July 2024, as stated by La Comisión Colombiana de Juristas. His body was found under a bridge in Sampúés, Sucre, days after his disappearance. His status as a prominent educator and cultural leader led to speculation that his death may have been related to his social and community engagement, given the numerous precedents which have been seen over the past number of years.
Violence against social leaders in Colombia is a critical issue, with alarming statistics highlighting the severity of the situation. Nationally, over 1,200 social leaders and human rights defenders have been killed since 2016 (the UN though other sources estimate the number to be even higher). Regionally, departments such as Cauca, Nariño, and Putumayo are particularly dangerous, with Cauca recording the highest number of murders. In 2023 alone, Cauca saw 24 social leaders killed. However, this context of violence can be seen throughout the whole country, including the Caribbean region. Since 2016, 246 social leaders have been murdered in Caribbean departments (Indepaz), with 24 of these cases occurring in Sucre (La Libertad Sublime). In 2024 alone, 6 teachers were murdered, and 5 of these crimes took place in the Caribbean departments (Indepaz, La Libertad Sublime). The context in Colombia is precarious for social leaders due to the presence of organized crime groups, which often target these leaders to maintain control over territories. Despite the gravity of these crimes, media coverage remains insufficient, failing to adequately highlight the systemic nature of violence and lack of effective government positions. This lack of visibility further complicates efforts to address and mitigate the risks faced by social leaders. Leaving many communities vulnerable and underreported.
The constant assassination of social leaders has generated diverse reactions throughout Colombian society, from the country's elitist circles to ordinary people. The Colombian civilian population believes that social leaders are killed because of the work they do, often becoming victims of illegal armed actors. The leadership they provide to their communities is seen as the main reason for their murders, leading some to suggest that social leaders bring their death upon themselves by speaking up about issues that they should leave alone. Like many issues in modern societies, political polarization and people’s ideological leanings have seen oversimplistic narratives around such a wave of violence. For many on the left, the crimes against leaders are evidence of a plot by the extreme right to stop any progress being made in relation to Colombia’s historic inequality. Voices from the right often claim that leaders are targeted because of ties they may have to illegal actors throughout the country, or because of other issues. What is certain is that both perspectives fail to account for the many complexities which play a part in this situation.
Throughout 2024, President Gustavo Petro made several statements on this issue, claiming that the Colombian state has failed social leaders and the communities they lead. These leaders are continuously threatened and their rights violated, while the state ignores them and turns a blind eye. In the region of Sucre, a historically conflicted area where leaders play a significant role in advocating for the rights of the community, impunity reaches alarming levels, with a score of 75.93 points, the highest in the country. The main reason is that the state's role in investigating, prosecuting, and sanctioning homicides is insufficient, and the investigations conducted to clarify the various homicides are inadequate compared to international standards. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called on the state to perform its main task of providing security and protection to leaders, and for justice to address the murders that have already occurred.
The case of Armando Rivero was the 91st registered at the time in 2024. As previously stated, there have now been 148 leaders murdered, as of November 2024 (Indepaz). The Colombian justice system conducted an exhaustive and dedicated investigation, perhaps due to the public statements made by the Minister of Culture in response to the crime and the significant media attention the case received, given Armando's importance to an entire municipality. However, the development did not follow the typical narrative expected in such murders. With criminal proceedings ongoing at the time of writing, it seems Armando was killed by his stepson and possibly his ex-partner over economic and personal reasons (El Tiempo, 2024), diverging from the usual scenario where leaders are assassinated by armed actors to halt their progress and work.
Despite this case not fitting the usual pattern, a murder is still a murder, reflecting the pervasive dynamics of violence in the country. Regardless of the motive behind the crime, the murder of Armando has removed a valuable educator and cultural leader from an area where he was valued and cherished. Furthermore, it is worth noting the similarities between this case and those of two other educators murdered in the Caribbean region throughout 2024, Eliecer Guevara in Valledupar (Cesar) in February and Luis Leones Alvarez in San Jacinto (Bolivar) in April. All three crimes seem to have been motivated by robbery, yet all three included extreme violence towards the victims. Tragically, all three crimes have left communities without valued, dedicated and experienced educators. This violence is not only systematically targeted at social leaders but also affects any ordinary Colombian. If Armando's case had not gained significant media attention, and if the minister had not intervened, the resolution might have been entirely different or nonexistent.
Colombia is a country with diverse and complex realities that cannot be analyzed from a single perspective. The country presents many facets depending on the region, municipality, and the specific context. The murders of social leaders are a significant stain on Colombia's reputation, as it leads the continent in such homicides, with 79% of these killings occurring within its borders. This statistic is both discouraging and depressing, highlighting that the efforts of social leaders, educators, and those who contribute to improving social conditions are not valued. Teachers and social educators are important to a society because they foster critical thinking and creativity by helping students develop essential life skills. They promote inclusivity and understanding, and they build stronger communities. Ultimately, their dedication helps pave the way for a more informed and compassionate society. These important individuals live in constant fear that the threats they receive daily will become reality, fully aware that the Colombian state is unlikely to act decisively if these threats are realized. It is disheartening that in Colombia, such individuals are blamed, stigmatized, and perceived as a potential threat, even though they are merely teachers and educators devoted to their profession, who end up as targets, sometimes even for those closest to them. The situation is demoralizing, as the prevalent mentality in the country continues to blame those who strive to bring about change, and nothing is done to alter the pervasive cycle of violence that the average citizen faces daily.
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