Journalist and candidate Susy Aponte murdered during campaign event in Peru

The communicator, known as “China Polo,” had reported threats before the crime. Authorities are investigating the attack as a suspected case of contract killing

CARAZ, Peru.– The journalist and candidate for the Regional Government of Áncash, Susy Aponte Polo, known as “China Polo”, was shot to death on Saturday, September 19, while participating in a campaign activity at a market in the city of Caraz, Huaylas province.

Aponte was with supporters and members of her political organization, Socios por Áncash, when she was attacked by gunfire. The incident also left several people injured, according to reports from Peruvian media.

Authorities investigate possible contract killing

Peruvian authorities are keeping investigations open to determine the circumstances and those responsible for the crime. The Nation’s Prosecutor, Tomás Gálvez, reported that three people were in custody, including the individual identified as the alleged perpetrator of the attack, as well as other possible accomplices.

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As part of the investigation, authorities are analyzing security camera footage, taking statements, and conducting various forensic examinations to reconstruct the suspects’ movements before and after the murder.

Had reported threats

Days before being murdered, Aponte had publicly denounced that she was receiving death threats. The communicator claimed to have received threatening calls originating from penitentiary centers and also made accusations against members of the National Police of Peru.

Among his complaints were accusations against the then-director of Criminal Investigation of the National Police, General Víctor Revoredo Farfán, whom he publicly pointed to as being behind threats against him. Those allegations corresponded to statements by Aponte and do not in themselves constitute evidence of the officer’s participation in his murder.

The death of Aponte, who in addition to his political activity carried out journalistic work, occurred in the midst of the campaign for the 2026 regional and municipal elections in Peru. The authorities continue the investigations to establish the motive for the crime and determine the responsibility of each of those investigated.