TalCual |

María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia asked the Colombian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to clarify the facts.

The attack against activists Yendri Velásquez and Luis Peche, which occurred this Monday, October 13, in Bogotá, sparked a total outcry. Leaders and political leaders in Venezuela expressed their condemnation, demanded a thorough investigation, and called for protection for all Venezuelans exiled in Colombia.

Human rights defender Yendri Velásquez and political consultant Luis Peche were victims of a hitman attack in which they received multiple shots in their lower extremities as they left the building where they live in Bogotá.

Upon learning of the news, political leaders and executives reacted with outrage and called for justice.

María Corina Machado asserted that the attack is a serious attack not only against Velásquez and Peche, but against all human rights protection and promotion efforts in the region.

We call on the Colombian authorities and the government of President Gustavo Petro to conduct a thorough, transparent, and urgent investigation to clarify the facts, identify those responsible, and ensure justice. More importantly, we demand that protection be guaranteed for them and for Venezuelans exiled in Colombia. wrote in X .

Edmundo González Urruti After condemning the attack, he lamented that transnational violence had reached them in exile. He urged the Colombian authorities to conduct an immediate investigation and guarantee the protection of all asylum seekers. He thanked the Colombian Ombudsman's Office for its firm stance, an institution that immediately condemned the attack.

Henry Capriles He also strongly condemned the shooting of Venezuelans Yendri Velásquez and Luis Peche Arteaga, who left the country seeking protection.

The former governor called on Colombian authorities to investigate the events until those responsible are found and expressed his solidarity with the activists and their families.

Delsa Solórzano, from Encuentro Ciudadano, called for a serious and independent investigation to urgently determine who the perpetrators and masterminds are.

Furthermore, the president of Encuentro Ciudadano requested that measures be taken to protect the victims and guarantee the safety of all persecuted Venezuelans seeking refuge in Colombia.

Former parliamentarian Gaby Arellano, who is also in Colombia, described the attack as a heinous act and asserted that Colombian President Gustavo Petro has not provided any guarantees to the persecuted Venezuelans. In a message on her X account, she asked authorities to protect the health center where Yendri Velásquez and Luis Peche are being held.

According to information released on social media this Tuesday, the activists are in stable condition. Velásquez has already undergone two surgeries, and Peche is under evaluation.