As per reports, a targeted armed attack occurred on Wednesday (14 January) on a public road connecting Neiva and Rivera in Huila Department. The incident involved senior prison officials from Colombia’s penitentiary system and resulted in the death of a minor.

• According to authorities, a motorcycle-borne assailant intercepted a private vehicle carrying the director of the Neiva Medium Security Prison, his 11-year-old son, and the deputy director of the facility.
• The attacker opened fire multiple times on the vehicle.
• The prison director’s son sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head and died at the scene.
• The deputy director was seriously injured after sustaining gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen and remains in critical condition. The prison director survived the attack.
• Reportedly, Colombian security forces launched a “Lockdown Plan” at exit points from Neiva and Rivera to locate the perpetrator.
• Authorities have linked the incident to a broader pattern of threats and attacks against prison officials, reportedly ordered by organized criminal groups operating from within detention facilities in response to strengthened security and control measures.