Three arrested in Colombia for journalist Cristian Herrera's murder

A Colombian judge has ordered the jailing of two men and a woman suspected of involvement in the recent assassination of journalist Cristian Herrera in Cúcuta. The Fiscalía (Prosecutor's Office) announced Saturday that the three detainees face charges including aggravated homicide and illegal possession of firearms.

The accused, identified as John Sebastián Duque Andrade, Angélica Vesga Arenas, and Wilmer Portillo González, have pleaded not guilty to the charges. A guarantee control judge in Cúcuta ordered their pre-trial detention in a correctional facility and approved the seizure of a taxi, four motorcycles, and three cell phones linked to the case.

Herrera, 48, had been receiving threats related to his reporting on the border region with Venezuela. Despite having a security detail, it was not with him on the day he was killed. His widow confirmed he had been threatened previously for his work, which included denouncing corruption. He was working as a communications advisor for the Cúcuta Security Secretariat at the time of his death.

According to the Fiscalía's investigation, Wilmer Portillo González allegedly surveilled Herrera, while Angélica Vesga Arenas reportedly monitored the victim's home to signal the opportune moment for the attack. John Sebastián Duque Andrade is accused of being the shooter who carried out the assassination from a motorcycle. Security camera footage and other evidence reportedly helped identify the movements of the three suspects. The investigation suggests the murder may be linked to Herrera's professional activities and prior threats from a criminal group known as 'La Familia de la P'.