Four days of anguish in Nariño: demand the immediate release of businessman and indigenous leader Hernán Arturo Guerrero

Four days of anguish have gripped the region of Nariño, with families and community members demanding the immediate release of businessman and indigenous leader Hernán Arturo Guerrero. The disappearance of the Awá leader, who is also known for his work in construction, has left his family and the local community in deep distress since Friday, July 17, 2026. On Monday, July 20, residents temporarily blocked a key road near the coast to demand his return, marking a growing public outcry over the unresolved situation. The incident unfolded in the rural area of Barbacoas, where Guerrero was reportedly meeting with several individuals at the police inspection station in Junín. According to accounts from family members and witnesses, armed men arrived in a vehicle, forced him into it under threat, and took him away in an unknown direction. His mother, Ninfa Burbano, expressed her anguish, pleading with authorities to release her son. “I beg you, please let my son go,” she said, emphasizing that he had done no harm to anyone. Mercedes Bisbicús, a local leader and former governor of the indigenous council El Porvenir, called for calm and urged respect for life. “This scourge of kidnapping has us very worried,” she stated. “We are asking them to respect his life and release him immediately.” Doris Guerrero, his sister, added that the captors should identify themselves and state their demands. She emphasized that Hernán is a hardworking and upright man, whose contributions to the community are well-known. In response to the escalating tensions, residents of the Junín neighborhood temporarily blocked the main road connecting Tumaco to Pasto during the day on Monday. This act of protest aimed to draw attention to the crisis and pressure authorities to take action. The blockade underscored the widespread concern within the community, which has long struggled with issues related to security and justice. Diego Pai, the governor of the indigenous reserve El Porvenir, acknowledged the worsening public safety conditions in the coastal foothills of Nariño. He noted that such incidents affect both indigenous reserves and urban areas, calling for the safe return of Hernán Arturo Guerrero to restore peace in the community. “These situations worry us greatly in our territories,” he said, urging authorities to provide updates on the search efforts. Local authorities and the national military continue their investigations, though little progress has been made in identifying the captors or determining the location of the missing man. The lack of transparency surrounding the case has fueled further frustration among the affected families and the broader population. While some hope for a swift resolution, others fear the worst, given the history of violence and disappearances in the region. As the search continues, the community remains united in its demand for clarity and justice. The plight of Hernán Arturo Guerrero has become a symbol of the ongoing challenges faced by indigenous leaders and activists in Nariño, highlighting the urgent need for improved security measures and accountability. For now, the fate of the missing leader remains uncertain, leaving his loved ones and neighbors in a state of anxious anticipation.