Indigenous Governor in Colombia Assassinated 

An Indigenous lawmaker from Colombia's southern department of Cauca was shot and killed Wednesday, in what officials think may have been a targeted or political assassination.

William Alexander Joiner, a lawmaker from the municipality of Rio Blanco and member of the Yanacona community, was shot by passing motorcyclists while in the capital of Cauca, Popoyan.

Eyewitnesses reported that the Indigenous governor was shot three times by three riders in the city's historical center. Joiner was taken to University Hospital, San Jose de Popayan, where he later died.

Col. Pedro Rodelo Asfora, commander of the Metropolitan Police of Popoyan, said a reward of US$3,000 (10 million pesos) will be offered for anyone with information leading to the identification of the culprits.

Colonel Asfora said officials do not believe allegations that it was a robbery, and have not ruled out the possibility that it may have been a targeted attack.

The National Indigenous Organization of Colombia, and its offices across the country, have condemned Joiner's killing, saying it is part of a larger strategy to exterminate Indigenous leaders and people.

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The ONIC, with its 47 subsidiaries across the country, as well as the National Indigenous Movement have demanded that the relevant authorities be assigned to investigate the crime, and that the culprits do not go unpunished.

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