Colombia: Candlelight vigil in Popayán demands release of kidnapped businesswoman amid rising violence

In Popayán, Colombia, a poignant candlelight vigil illuminated Parque Caldas on July 17, uniting hundreds in a fervent plea for the safe return of businesswoman Sonia Sarmiento. She was abducted on July 12, and the community gathered to express solidarity and send a message of respect for her life to her captors.

Family, friends, business leaders, and citizens joined the emotional gathering, holding candles that cast a warm glow as prayers filled the air. The event served as a powerful symbol of civic unity against the rising tide of violence gripping the Cauca department. Attendees prayed not only for Sarmiento's release but also for an end to the escalating kidnappings that have instilled fear in the region.

Luis Felipe Revelo, Sarmiento's son, spoke with a trembling voice, thanking the community for its unwavering support. "We want her here, we want her back. We miss her very much," he said. He described his mother, who transitioned from medicine to managing the well-loved restaurant Lago La Marquesa, as a "noble-hearted person" and a family role model.

The vigil also highlighted the broader concern over the increase in kidnappings in central Cauca, where armed groups continue to operate, causing widespread anxiety. Revelo urged that the demand for freedom extend beyond his mother's case to encompass all victims of such crimes. "We want Cauca to live in peace again," he implored, reflecting the deep desire of the community for a return to normalcy and security.