Colombian pastor murdered in Cartagena after refusing gang demands

Jesús Alberto Puerta Pérez, a pastor with the independent La Antorcha Encendida Church, was beaten to death in Cartagena, Colombia, on October 7. According to reports from Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), the pastor was killed by members of a criminal gang he had been evangelizing after he refused to lend them his motorcycle. Sources indicated that the pastor, who worked as a motorcycle taxi driver, denied the request because he suspected the gang intended to use the vehicle for illegal drug trafficking and criminal activity.

Puerta Pérez had previously served as a missionary in the Montes de María region, where he and his wife were forced to relocate in December 2025 following threats related to his ministry. Despite the move to Cartagena, he continued his outreach to homeless individuals and gang members in high-risk areas. CSW has called on local authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the murder. Following the incident, the organization presented a petition to the Colombian embassy in London, urging the government to enhance protections for those targeted due to their religious activities.