Three Friends Found Dead in Magdalena;ague Linked to Criminal Gangs
In a chilling turn of events, the dreams of three friends from Cartagena for a job opportunity have ended tragically. Daniel Manuel Julio Anaya, Merquis Quintana García, and Saraith del Carmen Torres were reportedly murdered in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Their bodies were discovered handcuffed and showing signs of torture.
According to local authorities, the bodies were found on May 30 in a hard-to-reach mountainous area near the corregimiento of Palmor, within the municipality of Ciénaga. This grim discovery has been labeled as a massacre. After over a week of uncertainty, relatives have confirmed the identities of the victims.
Background: Escalating Violence in Magdalena
The department of Magdalena has seen increasing violence in recent years, with criminal gangs and illegal armed groups destabilizing communities. This triple homicide is the first registered massacre in Magdalena in 2025.
“Fear returned to Palmor,” a communal leader from the area stated, underlining the rising threats and the expansion of armed structures in historically neglected regions. The victims’ families are now desperate for justice and demanding accountability.
Investigations Underway
Authorities suspect that the victims were lured with false job promises. Colonel Jaime Ríos of the Metropolitan Police indicated that the primary hypothesis points to the involvement of illegal armed groups. Investigations are ongoing, with a focus on tracking travel routes, telephone contacts, and camera footage.
“We are examining all angles, but one thing is clear: our community cannot continue to live in fear,” Ríos stated.
Community Reactions
Local social organizations and communal leaders have issued alerts following the murders. They call for greater state presence and protection in these vulnerable areas. Families of the victims are devastated and prepared to bring the bodies back to Cartagena, seeking solace and closure.
“No one is going to return them, but at least we want justice. It cannot be that they are simply killed and nobody knows why,” stated a relative of Merquis Quintana.
Health Update: Presidential Candidate
Separately, there has been continued concern for the health condition of presidential candidate Miguel Uribe. Healthcare professionals are closely monitoring his status.
