On February 5, 2026, an armed attack in Arauca killed two escorts of Senator Jairo Castellanos from the ASI party. The congressman is safe in Yopal, Casanare, as authorities investigate the incident. Interior Minister Armando Benedetti condemned the attack and vowed to clarify it.
The attack took place around 2:00 p.m. on February 5, 2026, on the road connecting Fortul to Tame in Arauca department, an area affected by illegal armed groups. Armed men using short and long weapons intercepted a vehicle from Senator Jairo Castellanos' security detail, part of a caravan coming from Norte de Santander to pick up the congressman. Two protection members were killed: one from the National Police and one from the National Protection Unit (UNP). The senator was not in the targeted vehicle and is confirmed safe in Yopal, Casanare, though deeply moved by the loss.
UNP Director Augusto Rodríguez described the incident as an 'inhuman criminal act' with cruelty, apparently aimed at stopping the vehicle. One of the caravan's vehicles remains missing, and authorities are working to locate it. Interior Minister Armando Benedetti spoke directly with Castellanos and stated: 'The senator is fine, but moved by the loss of his escorts. This is a grave event that mourns the country and cannot go unpunished.' The Interior Ministry will lead investigations to identify those responsible and the motivations.
The government categorically condemned violence against political leaders and reaffirmed its commitment to security. Currently, 379 candidates have protection measures, including 62 presidential precandidates and 264 congressional aspirants. Several congress members reacted: Senator Paloma Valencia tweeted about the attack in Tame, Arauca, praying for Castellanos, whose safety was later confirmed. Senator Omar Restrepo expressed solidarity, noting that 'the protection of leaders is a condition for peace and dialogue.' Nicolás Albeiro Echeverry viewed it as a serious threat to democracy in the territories.
