Paraguayan prosecutor’s murder in Colombia likely transnational hit: police

Prosecutor Marcelo Pecci talks to the media, Asuncion, Paraguay. Pecci was murdered whereas on trip in Colombia.
REUTERS

BOGOTA – The homicide of a Paraguayan prosecutor recognized for combating organized crime was seemingly the sufferer of “transnational” criminals working throughout borders, the pinnacle of Colombia’s police mentioned Wednesday, as each international locations pledged to probe the high-profile hit.

Prosecutor Marcelo Pecci, 45, was shot lifeless on the island of Baru close to the Caribbean metropolis of Cartagena on Tuesday whereas on his honeymoon along with his spouse.

Gen. Jorge Luis Vargas, head of Colombia’s nationwide police, instructed reporters the “large speculation” is that Pecci’s killing was seemingly associated to his prosecutions in Paraguay, which frequently targeted on high-stakes anti-money laundering and anti-drug circumstances.

“We’re speaking a couple of transnational crime system, extremely deliberate, through which it’s possible that a big sum of money was spent to hold out the homicide,” mentioned Vargas, noting that a reward equal to just about $500,000 for data resulting in an arrest within the case has been provided.

Vargas added that police have pictures of the principle suspect, however he wouldn't verify rumors that non-Colombians could have additionally been concerned.

Paraguayan anti-drug prosecutor Marcelo Pecci (3-R) speaks in Asuncion on November 9, 2021.

AFP by way of Getty Pictures

Pecci and his spouse, Paraguayan journalist Claudia Aguilera, introduced her being pregnant on Instagram shortly earlier than the couple was approached by two males on a non-public seashore close to their lodge. She instructed authorities one of many males later shot Pecci.

A senior official with Paraguay’s nationwide police, Nimio Cardozo, arrived in Colombia’s capital to help the investigation, together with U.S. drug and different federal brokers.

Lawyer Basic of Paraguay Sandra Quiñonez, proper, and one other girl pray to a Virgin Mary statue on the entrance of her workplace after she discovered in regards to the killing throughout his honeymoon in Colombia of Paraguayan prosecutor Marcelo Pecci.

AP

Showing on the identical information convention, Cardozo harassed that only some individuals knew of Pecci’s deliberate trip.

“We won't cease till now we have caught these accountable, materially and intellectually, for this despicable act,” he mentioned.