A shocking incident occurred in Peru, where a journalist and regional election candidate, Susi Abonte, was killed by gunfire during an election event in the city of Caraz. According to reports, Abonte, 44, was campaigning in a market in the Ancash region when she was shot. The incident also left five others injured. The police have launched an investigation into the crime and are working to determine the motives behind the attack.
The incident took place on September 21, 2026, just days before the October 4 elections in Peru. Abonte was a candidate for the position of governor of the Ancash region, running for the "Partners of Ancash" movement. Prior to her political career, Abonte was a journalist and worked for a news site called "China Puno Dominical," where she published investigations and reports on alleged corruption and wrongdoing.
The police have arrested a Venezuelan citizen who was found with a firearm, and are investigating his possible connection to the attack. According to reports, Abonte had received threats in the days leading up to her death, including phone calls from prisons warning her that she was being targeted. These threats are being examined as part of the investigation into the crime.
The assassination of Abonte has sparked widespread outrage in Peru's journalistic and political communities. The Peruvian Press Council has called for a thorough investigation into the crime and demanded that all those responsible be brought to justice. The National Elections Board has also condemned the killing and urged authorities to quickly determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage from the area to help identify the perpetrators and their movements. The investigation is ongoing, with police and prosecutors collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing the threats Abonte received before her death. The case has raised concerns about the risks faced by journalists and politicians in Peru.
According to data from the police, four journalists were killed in Peru in 2025. The incident has highlighted the need for greater protection for journalists and politicians, particularly those who are targeted for their work. The Peruvian government has been urged to take steps to ensure the safety of those who are exercising their right to free speech and political participation.
The investigation into Abonte's assassination is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the motives behind the crime and identify all those involved. The case has sparked a national conversation about the safety of journalists and politicians in Peru, and the need for greater protection and security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Key points
- The Peruvian Press Council has called for a thorough investigation into the crime and demanded that all those responsible be brought to justice.
- The National Elections Board has condemned the killing and urged authorities to quickly determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
- The incident has raised concerns about the risks faced by journalists and politicians in Peru, particularly those who are targeted for their work.
