Rivas, 49, host of the political commentary show “Comuna
Libre” on local television station CNC Bugavisión and sports commentator on local
radio station Voces de Occidente, left the TV studio in the western city of Buga shortly after 10
p.m., Station Manager Javier Gil told CPJ.
Arriving minutes later at a local funeral home that he managed Rivas was approached by an individual wearing a dark motorcycle helmet,
according to local news reports. The unidentified assailant fired five shots
before fleeing aboard a motorcycle with a second individual. Rivas was
pronounced dead at the scene, Gil told CPJ.
The station manager said Rivas was generally critical of
civic problems but did not directly criticize particular officials or touch on
sensitive issues. Gil said investigators did not immediately publicize any
leads.