The Catholic Archbishop of the city of Cali in Colombia has been shot and killed by an unidentified gunman. Archbishop Isaias Duarte Cancino had been an outspoken critic of Colombia's drug barons, guerrillas and paramilitaries.
The Archbishop had just completed an evening wedding and was leaving the Buen Pastor Church when two gunmen shot him at point blank range. He was hit several times, including in the head.
Archbishop Cancino was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
One priest who saw the incident said that everything took place very fast. Suddenly he saw Archbishop Cancino lying on the ground bleeding.
Appointed as Archbishop of Cali in 1995, Archbishop Cancino was no stranger to controversy. He consistently condemned the drugs trade and violence from both the right and left.
He recently claimed that drugs money was being used to fund the campaigns of some candidates in last week's Colombian congressional elections.
The Archbishop was an implacable opponent of the Armed Revolutionary Forces of Colombia, better known as the FARC. The killing came as the Colombian army killed at least 21 FARC rebels in separate incidents around the country. Peace talks between the two sides broke down on February 20.
No one has yet claimed responsibility for the murder, but given his predisposition to plain speaking, the list of suspects is long. Archbishop Cancino frequently asked for police protection, most recently just hours before this shooting. As usual, his request was denied.
