Wilson González Reyes, former mayor of Rionegro, Santander, is shot dead at his estate

Wilson González Reyes, former mayor of Rionegro in Santander department, was shot dead in his farm on Friday, August 14, according to local reports. The attack occurred around 10 p.m. in the Galápagos neighborhood, approximately 30 kilometers from the municipality’s capital. Two men on motorcycles approached the property and fired multiple shots at the ex-mayor, who had been wanted by authorities for years. González Reyes, known locally as Pocho, was previously mayor of Rionegro from 2016 to 2019. He was arrested in May 2019 by the Fiscalía's CTI unit on charges related to conspiracy to commit crime and homicide. His legal troubles were tied to the killing of Police Superintendent Gustavo Guerrero in September 2007, which took place in Floridablanca, Santander. The fiscal office linked him to this murder as well as to the 2007 killing of Víctor Humberto Rico Florián, also known as El Soldado or La Chiva, in the Girón-Café Madrid road. Despite being captured in 2019, González remained at large until recently. His last public appearance was during regional elections in 2023, where he supported candidate Johany Santa, who ultimately won the election. During this time, he continued to operate under the radar, maintaining connections with political figures and community leaders. The shooting took place in a remote area, raising questions about the security situation in rural regions of Santander. Local authorities have begun investigating the incident, though no arrests have been made yet. The motive behind the assassination remains unclear, but officials suspect ties to organized criminal groups, particularly Los Rastrojos, a powerful drug trafficking network active in northern Colombia. The death of González has caused widespread shock in Rionegro. Residents expressed concern over the lack of safety in their communities, especially given the ongoing violence linked to illegal activities. Some locals believe the killing reflects broader issues of impunity and corruption within local governance. Authorities are working to determine whether the attack was politically motivated or part of a larger criminal conflict. Preliminary investigations suggest that González was still under investigation for several crimes when he was killed. His case highlights the complex interplay between politics, law enforcement, and organized crime in the region. The incident has reignited calls for improved security measures and greater transparency in local government operations.