Demonstrators protested outside the headquarters of the Third Army Brigade in Cali, Colombia, over the death of Juliana Giraldo in Cauca.
The Army, which recognized the facts and regretted them, investigates the facts.
(Credit: LUIS ROBAYO / AFP via Getty Images)
(CNN Spanish) -
Juliana Giraldo was allegedly shot dead by a Colombian Army soldier when he was traveling in a vehicle on the roads of the Cauca department, in the southwestern part of Cauca.
This was stated by Brigadier General Jhon Jairo Rojas Gómez, commander of the Specific Command of Cauca.
The Prosecutor's Office announced this Thursday that it will prioritize the investigation into the death of Juliana Giraldo.
Being a transgender woman, according to the Prosecutor's Office, "the case will be attended by an expert prosecutor who will address the issue from a differential perspective."
This is what we know about the death of Juliana Giraldo in Cauca:
They denounce that a Colombian Army soldier shot dead a woman in an alleged military checkpoint
Demonstrators protested in front of the headquarters of the Army's Third Brigade, in Cali, Colombia, over the death of Juliana Giraldo, on September 24, 2020. (LUIS ROBAYO / AFP via Getty Images)
The death of Juliana Giraldo
Colombian Defense Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo said Thursday that Juliana Giraldo "was shot dead by a member of the public force" in the municipality of Miranda, Cauca, in the southwestern part of the country.
A video that went viral on social networks shows an upset man, crying out for help for someone who identifies as "my wife" while recording a soldier lowering his face.
"This man killed me," says the man who recorded the video.
Later, the same man, who said he was driving the car at the time of the events, asked for the video to be broadcast with a message: “We have no weapons, we have no drugs, we have nothing, this man killed her.
Help me please, help me make this video viral, help me, come on.
Look, we're not wearing anything, they killed Juliana, that man shot him in the head.
In the recording, one of the soldiers responds: "I would have stopped."
The man recording says: "I did stop."
After the impact with a firearm, Giraldo "lost his life instantly," the prosecution said in a statement.
Demonstrators protested outside the headquarters of the Third Army Brigade in Cali, Colombia, over the death of Juliana Giraldo in Cauca. The Army, which recognized the facts and regretted them, investigates the facts. (Credit: LUIS ROBAYO / AFP via Getty Images)
Investigations advance
The Army Communications department confirmed to CNN that the videos circulating on social networks are the basis for its investigation of the events.
These are several short videos that record the situation after the incident but not the moment at which the woman would have lost her life.
The Defense Minister said Thursday that the Army "will evaluate and take the necessary measures to correct any errors that may arise in command and control responsibilities."
He also expressed his "rejection, consternation and rejection of what happened."
President Iván Duque lamented the events in Cauca related to Giraldo's death.
He said he instructed the Ministry of Defense and the Army to carry out a "swift investigation."
Duque said that the person responsible for the woman's death must receive "an exemplary punishment" and that he will provide accompaniment to the victim's family.
Holmes Trujillo said that for the moment the soldier allegedly involved in the events and other uniformed men who accompanied him have been removed from their functions and made available to the competent authorities for the corresponding actions.
Colombians criticize the army and demand justice
The news of Juliana Giraldo's death and the heartbreaking video quickly went viral.
The event comes in the midst of a controversy in Colombia over allegations of police abuse.
Just two weeks ago Javier Ordóñez died in Bogotá at the hands of police, sparking protests that left 13 dead, according to Colombia's defense minister.
In Colombia, many demand justice for the death of Giraldo, who they say was murdered by the army.
Juliana Giraldo Díaz did not die, she was murdered.
There was no check.
- Ángela María Robledo (@angelamrobledo) September 24, 2020
24th September.
From Miranda Cauca.
pic.twitter.com/7mdAiUvZOn
- Camilo Álvarez B (@CamiloAlvarezB) September 24, 2020
Juliana Giraldo Díaz did NOT die Juliana was killed.
They murdered her in cold blood and in a defenseless state.
Another trans woman murdered.
They are no longer 27;
there are 28 trans women murdered so far in 2020.
- Trans Community Network (@redcomunitariat) September 24, 2020
A new case of military abuse in Colombia.
This time, the murder of Juliana Giraldo, in Miranda, Cauca.
And to all this the report of the Commission of "Military Excellence" does not appear and the government refuses to discuss reforms to the security policies.
https://t.co/2a5fXRtKtN
- José Miguel Vivanco (@JMVivancoHRW) September 25, 2020
If they are going to break glass in a CAI, the police shoot to kill.
If a citizen does not stop at a checkpoint, the Army shoots to kill.
They are not isolated cases, it seems to be the essence of the Public Force.
Today @mindefensa has not proposed a single change, that's why he has to go.
- Armando Benedetti (@AABenedetti) September 24, 2020
By God what is happening?
The Force output control!
@Mindefensa !! Stop shooting at citizens!
Political responsibility now !!
https://t.co/brklfHeE1z
- Roy Barreras (@RoyBarreras) September 24, 2020
"... they killed Juliana, we didn't take anything, my God, they killed Juliana ..." - Young man in Miranda Cauca.
Something has to change.
Something has to change.
Something has to change.
- Daniel Quintero Calle (@QuinteroCalle) September 25, 2020
The ruling Democratic Center party sympathized with the Army and said that "the actions of a soldier and two policemen cannot affect the honor or transparency of the Public Force."
The acts of a soldier and two policemen cannot affect the honor or transparency of the Public Force.
The @PoliciaColombia and the @COL_EJERCITO are made up of human beings who sacrifice everything for the safety of each compatriot.
pic.twitter.com/ni3dVNtCW7
- Democratic Center (@CeDemocratico) September 25, 2020
- With information from Diana Castrillón from CNN from Bogotá.
Colombia
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