Colombian Social Leader Killed in Choco

A social leader has been killed in the western Colombian state of Choco.

Manuel Ramiez Mosquera was one of the representatives for 2,500 inhabitants of Bajo Atrto Chocoano.

They have been displaced for several months in the urban area of ​​Rio Sucio due to the paramilitary activity in their area.

Repeated clashes between the National Liberation Army, ELN, and paramilitaries forced many to leave their homes.

It's believed Mosquera was killed as he made his way towards La Nueva.

Since the start of the year, 51 human rights defenders have been killed in Colombia and more than 300 suffered serious threats. 

Earlier on Thursday, the Former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC, rebel Brutney Alfonso Avila Snak, also known as “Chonchon,” was killed by two armed gunmen.

RELATED:
Colombia Paramilitaries Won't Stop Killing Human Rights Leaders

Avila was shot by the two unidentified suspects on a motorcycle at roughly 7:45 a.m. local time in a demilitarized zone of the Arauca department, Caracol Radio reported. He is the second former FARC rebel to be killed this week. 

“It is regrettable and worrying that this type of deed is being carried out in a highly-militarized area that corresponds to a whole security strategy intended to guarantee the transition of FARC members to the democratic, economic and social life of the department and the country,” said lawmaker Ferney Tique Vargas, a member of Arauca's Peace and Human Rights Commission.

Avila’s murder comes days after Jesus Adan Mazo, also known as “Molina,” was killed in the Antioquia department.

Mazo, whose involvement in the peace process between the Colombian government and the FARC was pivotal to the signing of the agreement, was shot on Monday morning.

FARC members have consistently demanded that the government work to dismantle paramilitarism in the country, saying its ongoing violence represents the greatest threat to the peace process. But the government of President Juan Manuel Santos has done little to curb such violence, reports demonstrate.

Avila is the ninth former FARC rebel to be killed since the signing of the peace accords.