Pope Leo XIV and United Nations Issue Urgent Peace Pleas as Colombia Detains Alleged Mastermind of Cajibio Massacre

Global leaders call for an end to Colombian violence following the arrest of "Mi Pez," the alleged mastermind behind the Cajibio bombing that killed 20.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 30, 2026, 8:52 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Anadolu Agency

A Global Mandate for Civilian Protection

The United Nations and the Holy See have issued a rare joint appeal for peace in the wake of the devastating April 25 massacre in Colombia’s southwestern department of Cauca. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights formally condemned the "indiscriminate attacks" targeting non-combatants, reminding non-state armed groups of their legal obligations under international humanitarian law. Simultaneously, the UN urged the Colombian government to shift its strategy toward a permanent, multifaceted state presence that moves beyond military intervention to include robust psychosocial support and preventive security tools for vulnerable rural populations.

Vatican Intervention and Pastoral Pleas

From St. Peter's Square, Pope Leo XIV used his general audience to express profound "pain and concern" regarding the escalating bloodshed in the Colombian highlands. The pontiff’s message was a direct echo of the Colombian Episcopal Conference’s recent entreaties, which have begged local militias to "treat the population with humanity." By framing the conflict as a moral crisis, the Pope urged all parties to resolutely reject violence in favor of negotiated peace, highlighting the tragic reality of a region that has become a flashpoint for dissident activity and territorial disputes.

The Fall of "Mi Pez" in Northern Cauca

While funerals were being held in the village of La Pedregosa for 11 of the victims, Colombian security forces confirmed the high-profile arrest of José Alex Vitonco. Known by the alias "Mi Pez," Vitonco is identified as the local commander of a cell belonging to the Central General Staff (EMC), the most powerful FARC dissident faction in the country. President Gustavo Petro utilized social media to confirm that Vitonco is the individual directly responsible for the "terrorist attack" in Cajibio, marking a significant tactical victory for the state’s intelligence agencies in their pursuit of the EMC’s national leadership.