By Vanessa Buschschl眉ter
Also among those whose bodies have been found is Maryuri Hern谩ndez, who helped the evangelical pastor in the area. She is survived by her five-year-old daughter.
According to CSW, all eight had settled in the area after fleeing violence and violations of freedom of religion in Arauca, a province bordering Venezuela where several armed groups are active.
Religious leaders and social leaders are often targeted by armed groups in Colombia which do not tolerate any other authority than their own.
Relatives of the victims said the eight had received a message by the Frente Armando R铆os, which demanded that they present themselves for questioning.
According to the investigation by the prosecutor’s office, days later they were taken to an abandoned property, where they were killed.
Officials suspect the order to kill them was given by the inner circle of Iv谩n Mordisco, one of the most powerful commanders of the dissident rebel factions.
The murder of the eight has been condemned by Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who called it “heinous” and denounced it as “a grave attack on the right to life, religious freedom and spiritual and community work”.