She was traveling on a motorcycle and was unarmed.
News Colombia.
The National Police confirmed the atrocious murder of patrol officer Karen Estéfany Pajoy Candela, which occurred in the Alto Cañada village, a rural area of the municipality of La Plata, Huila. The uniformed woman, who was enjoying her vacation, was suddenly attacked by armed men while she was riding a motorcycle with her son, whom she was taking to kindergarten. His death has sparked outrage and shock throughout the country.
According to the official report, the patrol vehicle was approached by the attackers in an isolated section of the road, where they shot it without saying a word. The attack is considered an act of criminal retaliation, carried out in a corridor where illegal armed groups have increased their violent actions against the Public Force and the civilian population. His son was unharmed, although witnesses indicate that the minor went into a state of shock after witnessing the crime.
The Hernando González Acosta front operates in this region, belonging to the Isaías Pardo Central Block, a structure that, according to the authorities, maintains a history of attacks, pressure and armed actions in the south of the country. Their presence has generated growing concern among residents, who report threats and constant fear due to clashes between criminal gangs and state agents.
#JUDICIAL| The National Police condemned the murder of the 21-year-old patrol officer, Karen Estefany Pajoy Candela, in the rural area of La Plata, Huila.
Colonel Carlos Eduardo Téllez, commander of the Huila Police, reported that the crime would have been the responsibility of the dissident bloc… pic.twitter.com/XkyUHKT43q
— ÚltimaHoraCaracol (@UltimaHoraCR) December 9, 2025
The death of Pajoy Candela has left a deep void among her colleagues, who describe her as a committed, disciplined and dedicated woman to her work. The patrol vehicle was recognized for its sense of service and its ability to generate closeness with the community, especially in rural areas where institutional presence is key to the safety of families.
The director general of the National Police firmly rejected the criminal act, describing it as cowardly and ruthless. He assured that all investigative, intelligence and operational capabilities were activated to find those responsible for the murder. He added that the Institution will not rest until it captures the material and intellectual authors of this attack that puts the Police and the country in mourning.
The patrolman’s family demanded justice and protection, while citizens of La Plata and Huila participated in tributes in memory of the uniformed woman. His name joins the painful list of public servants who have lost their lives amid the growing violence in rural regions of the country. Pajoy Candela is remembered today as a symbol of courage, honor and dedication to the service of Colombia.
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