Journalist Rafael Moreno Murdered in Colombia Despite UNP Protection
Journalist Rafael Moreno, known for his investigations into corruption and illegal activities, was tragically murdered in his restaurant in Córdoba, Colombia. Moreno had been under the protection of the Colombian National Protection Unit (UNP) since 2017 due to the threats he faced. The UNP currently safeguards over 10,000 individuals, including 187 journalists, across the country.
Moreno's protection initially included a bodyguard, a bulletproof vest, and a panic button, provided by the UNP in June 2017. His security was later enhanced in November 2018, with the addition of an armored vehicle and another bodyguard, due to escalating threats. However, in 2021, his protection measures were temporarily suspended for three months, allegedly due to an abuse of his protective means.
In July 2022, Moreno received an anonymous threatening letter containing a bullet, leading to a re-evaluation of his protection. Despite this, on the day of his murder, Moreno was alone in his restaurant, having dismissed his bodyguard earlier that morning. The organization that took over Moreno's protection after the termination of the initial measures in 2021 and 2022 remains unknown.
Moreno's murder has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the UNP's protective measures. As of now, 202 people under UNP protection reside in the department of Córdoba, where Moreno was born and murdered. The UNP, supervised by the Colombian Ministry of the Interior, continues to face challenges in safeguarding those at risk, with over 10,000 individuals currently under its protection.
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