A protestant pastor in northern Colombia was killed, along with two family members, after his family was attacked following a religious service on 29 December. Another member of the family was seriously injured.
Armed gunmen on a motorcycle fired repeatedly at the family before fleeing the scene. Pastor Marlon Lora, 43, his wife Yorley Rincon, 40, and his daughter Ángela, 24, were killed instantly. The youngest family member, his son Santiago, 21, is severely injured and under a reserved prognosis. The attack occurred just metres away from the national police station in Aguachica, Cesar Department, prompting a swift response from the authorities.
Pastor Lora and his wife led the Prince of Peace Villaparaguay Church. Pastor Lora held a leadership role overseeing 35 urban and rural churches across the region, frequently travelling to support these congregations.
Pastor Giovanni Bermúdez, the couple’s immediate supervisor, told sources 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.”
Pastor Divanit Alfonso Calle, President of the Association of Pastors of Aguachica, highlighted that Pastor Lora’s role as a member of the board within the organisation 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 also 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.
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