Press release

Director-General condemns killing of journalist Marcos Efraín Montalvo Escobar in Colombia

UNESCO observatory of killed journalists

2021/97

28 September 2021

Last update:20 April 2023

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has condemned the murder of veteran journalist Marcos Efraín Montalvo Escobar, who was shot dead in the city of Tuluá in western Colombia on 19 September.

I condemn the killing of Marcos Efraín Montalvo Escobar. Montalvo dedicated his long career to making information and knowledge accessible, which is why his murder constitutes an attack on society as a whole. I therefore urge the authorities to investigate this crime and to bring its perpetrators to justice.

Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General

Montalvo, a veteran freelance print and radio journalist and the founder of the newspapers El Reportero, La Variante, El Otro and El Picacho, was shot dead while he was out shopping. The journalist is reported to have received threats to his life in connection with his work which notably focused on local politics, crime and corruption.

UNESCO promotes the through global awareness-raising, capacity building and a range of actions, notably in the framework of the on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.