# Violent crime investigations in Venezuela and Colombia

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/violent-crime-investigations-in-venezuela-and-colombia
> Updated: 2026-09-08T21:05:11.000Z. Sources: 24. Developments: 2.

Authorities in Venezuela and Colombia are investigating several fatal violent crimes, including homicide and gender-based violence.

In Colombia, the Prosecutor’s Office has linked the murder of Professor Kevin Santiago Ángel to a cell of the Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan criminal organization. Investigators are using digital evidence, including recovered mobile phone messages and security footage, to identify those responsible, leading to several arrests. Additionally, a shooting in the Villa Verde sector of Pereira resulted in three deaths. Authorities identified the victims as 24-year-old Venezuelan national Giorgina Azócar López and her companion, Valentín Hoyos González. The suspect, Diego Alfonso López Umaña—identified as Azócar’s former partner—died at Hospital Universitario San Jorge after sustaining a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

In Venezuela, investigations continue into the shooting death of Ericsson Gabriel Rojas Rodríguez in Santiago Mariño, Aragua state. The Cicpc suggests the homicide followed a heated verbal altercation in a public area, and detectives are currently interviewing witnesses. In a separate incident in Chivacoa, 34-year-old Celis Daniela Monterrey died from injuries sustained during an attack by her partner with a chair during a dispute. The suspect reportedly surrendered to authorities following the attack.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-08: Tren de Aragua linked to various violent crimes across Latin America

Latin American authorities are investigating multiple violent crimes, including allegations that Venezuelan official Diosdado Cabello financed the assassination of Ronald Ojeda via the Tren de Aragua.

18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/criminal-investigations-underway-following-homicides-in-venezuela-and-colombia

### 2026-09-07: Violence in Colombia and Venezuela leaves multiple dead

A shooting in Pereira, Colombia, left a Venezuelan woman and her companion dead after an alleged attack by an ex-partner. In Chivacoa, Venezuela, a woman died following a violent assault by her partner.

13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/double-homicide-in-pereira-colombia-suspected-crime-of-passion

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Cite as: Violent crime investigations in Venezuela and Colombia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/violent-crime-investigations-in-venezuela-and-colombia