Breaking News: Peru Governor Candidate Shot Dead in Broad Daylight During Campaign Event

Tragedy has struck Peru’s upcoming regional elections. Susy Aponte Polo, an investigative journalist and candidate for governor of the Áncash region, was shot and killed in broad daylight on Saturday while campaigning through a local market.

The Attack: What Happened in Caraz?

The shooting took place in the central market of Caraz, located in the province of Huaylas.

Key details surrounding the event include:

• Chaos at the market: Witnesses initially mistook the gunshot for fireworks before realizing what had occurred.

• Bystander injuries: The attack left five other individuals injured. They were quickly taken to a local regional hospital for treatment.

• Timing: The attack occurred just weeks before Peru’s regional elections.

Who Was Susy Aponte Polo?

Known widely by her media moniker “La China Polo,” Aponte Polo built her reputation through bold reporting on corruption.

1. Investigative Journalist: She ran China Polo Dominical, a digital news channel on Facebook and YouTube that reported on organized crime, police misconduct, and public corruption.

2. Gubernatorial Candidate: She entered political life as a candidate for governor of Áncash under the Socios por Áncash political movement.

Recent Threats and Warning Signs

This fatal attack did not happen without warning. Nine days prior to her death, Aponte Polo publicly warned the press that her life was in danger.

She stated on social media that she had received threatening phone calls originating from inside three different prisons. Furthermore, she publicly accused local police leadership of orchestrating a hit against her.

Authorities moved quickly following the shooting.

• The Shooter: Bystanders and local security personnel detained Luis Iván Obispo Díaz, a 32-year-old Venezuelan national. Police recovered a stolen Glock firearm from him at the scene.

• Accomplices: Police later detained a second suspect, identified as the alleged financier behind the hit.

• Detention: Judicial authorities ordered 15 days of preliminary detention while prosecutors piece together the full conspiracy.

Official Reactions & Demands for Action

The assassination has drawn sharp condemnation across Peru:

“Violence has no place in a democratic society.” — Peru’s National Elections Board (JNE)

The Peruvian Press Council has called for a swift, unbiased investigation into her murder, emphasizing that threats against reporters and public figures cannot go unpunished. Regional leaders in Áncash are now demanding a state of emergency to restore order.

As investigators track down every party involved in planning this targeted attack, the loss of Susy Aponte Polo casts a dark shadow over Peru’s democracy. The event serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by journalists and reformers fighting public corruption.

We will update this story as official statements and investigative reports unfold.