Amnesty International condemned a violent attack against Venezuelan human rights defender Yendri Velásquez and his companion, Luis Peche, which occurred in Bogotá, Colombia. The incident involved two gunmen who targeted the activists, both of whom had previously fled Venezuela due to political persecution.

"We strongly condemn the attack against our colleague and friend Yendri Velásquez in Bogotá," stated Amnesty International. The organization emphasized the urgent need for the Colombian authorities to provide effective international protection for Venezuelan nationals and to take decisive action to address the ongoing risks faced by human rights defenders within the country.

Venezuela's severe political, economic, and social crises have prompted a massive migration wave since 2018, pushing many, including Velásquez and Peche, to seek safety abroad. However, their recent attack underscores the persistent dangers they face, even in exile.

The backdrop of this assault is a broader pattern of violence against human rights defenders in Colombia, marked by death threats, surveillance, and even kidnappings of family members. Such tactics have been used to intimidate and silence activists. Despite the end of its armed conflict, Colombia was named the deadliest country for human rights defenders in 2023, highlighting ongoing challenges in safeguarding fundamental freedoms.

Following this attack, Amnesty International has called for robust action from the Colombian government to ensure the safety and protection of all human rights defenders, including those from Venezuela. This plea reflects a critical and urgent need to address the systematic issues that continue to jeopardize the well-being of activists and asylum seekers in the region.

For more detailed information, the full statement by Amnesty International can be found [here](https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/10/colombia-condena-al-atentado-contra-defensor-de-derechos-humanos-venezolano/), and further context on the migration of Venezuelan nationals is available [here](https://www.iom.int/regional-response-situation-venezuelan-migrants-and-refugees).