Prosecutor Marcelo Pecci is killed in Colombia 2:23
(CNN Spanish) --
As a "cowardly murder" was described by the president of Paraguay, Mario Abdo Benítez, the murder of the prosecutor of the Specialized Unit for the Fight against Drug Trafficking of Paraguay, Marcelo Pecci, in Cartagena, Colombia.
The crime occurred this Monday on the island of Barú, south of Cartagena, on the Colombian Caribbean coast, when subjects arrived on jet skis and shot Pecci, said the Decameron hotel chain, where the couple was staying.
The president of Colombia, Iván Duque, said that the investigations of the facts are being carried out.
Meanwhile, Marcelo Pecci's wife, Claudia Aguilera, who witnessed the event, is in good condition and is being attended by members of the Paraguayan embassy in Colombia, according to the Paraguayan interior minister, Federico González.
A prosecutor who fought against organized crime is murdered in Colombia
President Abdo Benítez condemned the crime of prosecutor Pecci and said that Paraguay will redouble "its commitment to fight against organized crime."
He also sent condolences to the relatives of the prosecutor.
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The cowardly murder of prosecutor Marcelo Pecci in Colombia mourns the entire Paraguayan Nation.
We condemn this tragic event in the strongest terms and redouble our commitment to fight against organized crime.
Our sincere condolences to his family.
– Marito Abdo (@MaritoAbdo) May 10, 2022
For his part, President Iván Duque said he spoke with President Abdo Benítez "to agree on all cooperation to find those responsible" and indicated that the director of the Police is in Cartagena to advance the investigations.
We repudiate the assassination of the Paraguayan Prosecutor Marcelo Pecci in Cartagena.
I spoke with the President @MaritoAbdo to express my condolences and agree on all cooperation to find those responsible.
@DirectorPolicia is already in the city to carry out the investigations.
– Iván Duque 🇨🇴 (@IvanDuque) May 10, 2022
The Network of Anti-Drug Prosecutors of Ibero-America (RFAI_AIAMP), made up of prosecutors from 20 countries, said that Pecci was "an exceptional prosecutor committed to his work as a service to Paraguayan society and as a way to contribute to a safer world."
"Marcelo was an example for everyone and now he leaves us with an enormous void and heartbreak," said RFAI_AIAMP.
Marcelo Pecci was above all an extraordinary person, always full of joy and close to everyone.
Marcelo was also an exceptional prosecutor committed to his work as a service to Paraguayan society and as a way to contribute to a safer world.
— Network of Anti-Drug Prosecutors of Iberoamerica (@RFAI_AIAMP) May 10, 2022
The United States ambassador to Paraguay, Marc Ostfield, said that the event mourns the countries and that after Pecci's crime "we will strengthen joint work to confront organized crime in #Paraguay and the hemisphere."
We join the pain of the Paraguayan people at the murder of Prosecutor Marcelo Pecci in Colombia, this unfortunate event mourns our nations.
More than ever, we will strengthen our joint work to confront organized crime in #Paraguay and the hemisphere.
— Marc Ostfield (@USAmbPY) May 10, 2022
The Undersecretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs of the United States, Brian A. Nichols, reaffirmed the country's commitment to work with the authorities of Paraguay "and of all the countries of the continent, in the fight against organized crime."
The United States condemns the murder of Paraguayan prosecutor Marcelo Pecci.
We reaffirm our commitment and determination to work with the Paraguayan authorities and all the countries of the continent, in the fight against organized crime.
https://t.co/o70UVZvLhu
— Brian A. Nichols (@WHAAsstSecty) May 10, 2022
Paraguayan Attorney General Sandra Quiñonez Astigarraga sent her condolences for the murder of the specialized prosecutor and said that his death "mourns the entire family of the Public Ministry and Paraguay"
"We will not rest until we get those responsible materially and morally for this heinous attack to answer to justice," the Paraguayan prosecutor wrote.
My deepest condolences to his wife, family, colleagues and friends.
May God receive him in his Glory.
We will not rest until we bring those responsible materially and morally for this heinous attack to justice.
– Sandra Quiñonez Astigarraga (@SandraQuinonezA) May 10, 2022
Sole Núñez, candidate for the presidency of Paraguay, said that the country is in mourning and that Pecci's crime was "one more battle won by organized crime, the mafia and drug traffickers who have infiltrated all our institutions and the daily political practice.
Organized crime mourns our country and challenges us to fight without fear for a decent and just country.
An enormous sadness invades me, difficult to explain with words.
RIP prosecutor Marcelo Pecci and my condolences to dear Clau.
– Sole Núñez (@solenu) May 10, 2022
Deputy Carlos Relaxa sent his condolences to the family of prosecutor Pecci and paid tribute to the prosecutor's work.
"Paraguay is in mourning and I pay tribute to Pecci's valor and courage," Relax said.
Who was the prosecutor Marcelo Pecci?
The prosecutor who was not sold, nor traded, much less daunted the power dome in the case of the mega corruption of covid purchases, gold freighter and others.
Paraguay is in mourning and I pay tribute to the valor and courage of Pecci.
– Carlitos Rejala (@carlitosrejala) May 10, 2022
Marcelo Pucci
