Regional candidate killed as hitmen launch an armed attack in Caraz town, Peru

Peru’s Public Ministry announced Sunday that prosecutors have taken over the investigation into the fatal armed attack on journalist and regional gubernatorial candidate Susy Ysabel Aponte Polo and reclassified the crime as presumed sicariato (contract killing).

The Second Provincial Corporate Criminal Prosecutor’s Office of Huaylas (Third Desk) assumed jurisdiction in the case involving the attack that killed Aponte, known professionally as “La China Polo.” Provincial Prosecutor Raúl Godos Sedán and Assistant Prosecutor Sheyla Romero Zárate are leading urgent investigative steps. These include taking statements from people wounded by gunfire, requesting surveillance camera footage from a hotel where one of the alleged attackers is believed to have stayed on September 15, conducting gunshot residue tests, performing a legal autopsy on the victim, and other measures. At least two people have been detained in flagrante delicto, according to the official statement from the Ministry of Public Prosecutions (@FiscaliaPeru).

Aponte, 43, a candidate for Regional Governor of Áncash representing the Socios por Áncash movement, was shot on the afternoon of Saturday, September 19, while conducting campaign activities near a market in Caraz, in the province of Huaylas. She was distributing campaign materials with supporters on Avenida Ramón Castilla when a gunman opened fire. She was struck by bullets, including at least one to the head, and was pronounced dead at Hospital San Juan de Dios de Caraz. Several other people—reports range from two to five—were also wounded by gunfire and received medical treatment.

Police detained a Venezuelan national, identified as Luis Iván Obispo Díaz, shortly after the attack. Officers recovered a pistol from him. Peru’s Attorney General Tomás Gálvez later stated that authorities have in custody the suspected hitman, a presumed financier of the attack, and another individual who allegedly transported the shooter beforehand. The Public Ministry’s statement confirmed two detainees in flagrante while broader investigative work continues.

In the days leading up to her death, Aponte had publicly reported receiving death threats. In social media messages and videos, she said she had received calls from inmates in three Peruvian prisons warning that an attack against her had been ordered. She specifically accused National Police Criminal Investigation Director Gen. Víctor Revoredo Farfán of involvement, linking the threats to her reporting on alleged connections between police officials and criminal groups, including the gang known as Los Pulpos. She said she had already filed formal complaints with the appropriate authorities.

The case was initially opened by the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Violence Against Women and Family Members under the classification of femicide. Authorities later reclassified it as presumed contract killing based on emerging evidence. Specialized homicide investigators from Lima have been deployed to support local police and prosecutors. Electoral authorities, including the National Jury of Elections (JNE) and the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE), condemned the killing and called for a thorough investigation while urging enhanced security for candidates ahead of the October 4 regional and municipal elections.

Aponte was known for her digital program China Polo Dominical, through which she published investigative reports and denunciations of alleged corruption. Her killing has drawn national attention as one of the most serious acts of political violence in the current electoral period.

Investigations remain ongoing to determine the full circumstances, identify any additional participants, and establish the precise motive.