Four people, including a sugarcane production leader for the National Confederation of Rural Property Owners (Confederación Nacional de Propietarios Rurales – CNPR) for central Veracruz, were ambushed and killed late Thursday night in Córdoba, Veracruz.
The sugarcane production leader, Israel Castillo Quijano, his brother Jonatán, a fellow employee, and a young woman in a vehicle passing by were the victims in this attack. As the first three left the location of a labor protest they were intercepted by their aggressors. The car in which the attackers traveled in cut them off and began to shoot immediately after. The three victims shot back at the shooters but were unsuccessful. While attempting to flee, Israel Quijano collided with another car in which three young adults were inside; Zuleima Calderón, a passenger in this vehicle, was killed by stray bullets – she was 17 years old.
The reason for the ambush is believed to have been related to a labor dispute between sugarcane workers and leaders. The attackers used AR-15 and AK-47 rifles and shot at the victims over a hundred times. No arrests were made following the event.
Sources:
Pérez, Édgar Ávila. “Matan a 3 en Veracruz; uno era líder cañero.” El Universal. 23 July, 2010.
Zamudio, Isabel. “Asesinan a tres cañeros y una joven en Veracruz.” Milenio. 23 July, 2010.
