A Protestant preacher has been beaten to death in Colombia, allegedly by members of a criminal group he regularly evangelised to, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).
Jesús Alberto Puerta Pérez was killed on 7 October in Cartagena, in the Bolívar Department.
He worked as a motorcycle taxi driver and was affiliated with the independent La Antorcha Encendida Church. He regularly shared his faith with homeless people and members of criminal groups operating in dangerous areas of the city.
According to sources cited by CSW, Mr Puerta Pérez sometimes allowed members of the groups to use his motorcycle. However, he refused on 7 October after being warned they planned to use it to transport illegal drugs.
CSW's sources believe the group intended to implicate him in a crime and beat him to death in retaliation for refusing.
Mr Puerta Pérez and his wife had served as missionaries for eight years before being forcibly displaced from María La Baja, about 70km south of Cartagena, following threats linked to his preaching. They moved to Cartagena in December 2025 but continued to receive warnings about his safety.
He leaves behind his wife, their three children, aged five, six and 12, and his wife's elderly parents, for whom she is a carer.
Anna Lee Stangl, CSW's director of advocacy and Americas team leader, said: "CSW expresses heartfelt condolences to the widow and loved ones of Jesús Alberto Puerta Pérez, and we assure them of our sincere prayers and solidarity in this time of grieving. We call on the authorities in Cartagena to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances of Mr Puerta Pérez’s murder as a matter of urgency, holding all those responsible to account."
On 13 October, CSW chief executive Scot Bower met Gustavo Andrés Gómez Gaona, counsellor for foreign affairs at the Colombian Embassy in London, and presented a petition signed by more than 1,600 people.
It calls on the Colombian government to restore specific protections for religious leaders facing risks in areas affected by illegal armed and criminal groups.
Ms Stangl added: "We are grateful to Counsellor Gómez Gaona for taking the time to meet with us on behalf of the new government to hear our concerns regarding increasing violence against religious leaders across Colombia. We hope that the government will take heed of our recommendations a recognise the specific vulnerability of religious leaders by restoring their access to government protection programmes and security mechanisms."