The attack took place after a church service in a Montelibano hamlet. The armed and masked men broke into Pastor Velasquez’s home and shot him dead in front of his wife and six young members of his church.

Paramilitary groups vying for power in the region are thought to be responsible for the pastor’s murder. At least fifteen pastors in Córdoba have come under threat over the last six months. A number have been forcibly displaced as a result of the threats against them and their families.

The situation in Córdobais part of a larger pattern of severe violations of religious liberty in Colombia. A new CSW report details systematic religious persecution in areas under the control of armed groups. Over 200 churches have been forcibly closed and more than 35 pastors have been assassinated in different parts of the country during the last three years.

CSW’s National Director, Rev Stuart Windsor said: “CSW wholeheartedly stands in solidarity with the family of Pastor Velasquez at this terrible time.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them as we call on the UK Parliament and the European Union to urge the Colombian government to properly investigate this murder as well as the other threats against church leaders.

"We urgently ask the Colombian government to bring those involved in the resurgence of paramilitary activity in Córdoba to justice”.