(FLIP/IFEX) – On 22 April 2004, Jorge Corredor, director of “El Pregón del Norte” programme, broadcast on La Voz del Norte radio station, survived an attempt on his life. The radio station is based in the city of Cúcuta, Norte de Santander. At approximately 7:30 p.m. (local time), an unidentified assailant opened fire on the […]
(FLIP/IFEX) – On 22 April 2004, Jorge Corredor, director of “El Pregón del Norte” programme, broadcast on La Voz del Norte radio station, survived an attempt on his life. The radio station is based in the city of Cúcuta, Norte de Santander. At approximately 7:30 p.m. (local time), an unidentified assailant opened fire on the journalist, who was in his home at the time.
Corredor told FLIP that unidentified individuals came to his home three times on 22 April and asked for information about the house, which is for sale. When the journalist answered the door on the third occasion, the assailant took out a gun and shot at him. The journalist managed to dodge the bullet but his 20-year-old stepdaughter, Livy Sierra Maldonado, was shot and killed.
The journalist has often criticised the local authorities during his programme, which airs Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. His reports have been particularly critical in recent months and he believes this could be the motive for the attack, even though he had not received any threats.
The radio station’s manager, Nelson Reyes, told FLIP that some of Corredor’s comments about the municipality have been indiscreet.
Cúcuta’s police chief, Colonel Freddy Pacheco, said that Corredor is receiving police protection. He added that the Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the case and the possibility that the attack may be linked to the journalist’s work has not been discarded.
Corredor has been a radio announcer for nearly 30 years. He has worked on the “El Pregón del Norte” programme for the last three years.
FLIP urges the authorities to continue providing protection to the journalist and his family. The organisation also calls upon the Prosecutor’s Office to determine the motives behind the attack and punish those found to be responsible.
