The gruesome killing of Italian biologist Alessandro Coatti has sent shockwaves through Colombia and beyond. Authorities in Santa Marta are now offering a reward of 50 million pesos (roughly $11,300) for information leading to those responsible for his death. Coatti’s dismembered remains were found inside a suitcase abandoned near the Sierra Nevada stadium in the city, just days after he had gone missing.
Coatti, 42, had a distinguished scientific background, having worked for eight years at the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) in London. He had recently embarked on a journey through South America, making a stop in the Sierra Nevada region to further explore his passion for the natural world. The Italian embassy in Colombia is currently assisting his family as investigations continue.
Santa Marta’s mayor, Carlos Pinedo, condemned the killing and promised justice. “This crime will not go unpunished. We will pursue the culprits until they are held accountable,” he said on social media. Authorities revealed that Coatti had left his hotel in Santa Marta’s historic district on April 4 to visit Minca, an eco-tourism area in the Sierra, and never returned. His identity was partially confirmed through a luggage tag belonging to the hotel.
The timing of Coatti’s murder has raised suspicions, as it coincided with a major announcement from the Conquering Self-Defense Forces of the Sierra Nevada (ACSN), a paramilitary group operating in the region. On the same day Coatti vanished, the group declared it was suspending peace talks with President Gustavo Petro’s administration.
The RSB paid tribute to Coatti, describing him as a devoted and passionate scientist. “He led our work on animal science and contributed significantly to national science policy before leaving in late 2024 to volunteer in Ecuador and travel throughout South America,” the organization stated.
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a unique biosphere reserve renowned for its biodiversity and indigenous heritage. However, it has also become a hotspot for armed conflict and illicit activities, including drug trafficking and extortion. The ACSN, which claims to protect the environment from rival criminal groups, has also been linked to numerous violent incidents, including disappearances and killings.
Luis Fernando Trejos, a conflict analyst at Universidad del Norte, noted that the method used in Coatti’s killing mirrors tactics commonly employed by groups like the ACSN and the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces (EGC). “Dismemberment has become a form of symbolic violence, used to send warnings either to the public or rival factions,” he said, pointing out that it was unusual for such an act to occur in an urban setting rather than the rural areas traditionally associated with these groups.
Adding to the region’s rising tension, a separate incident occurred at Ecohabs Bamboo, a hotel within Tayrona National Park. Staff there reported that 18 armed, masked individuals detained five of their workers, including the hotel’s owner. The victims were allegedly blindfolded and transported in vans, only to be released the following day. However, local authorities, including Santa Marta’s security secretary, have claimed there is no evidence of a kidnapping, although investigations remain open.
These events come amid a broader breakdown in dialogue between the Colombian government and the ACSN. Originally, the group had agreed to a ceasefire and began preliminary talks as part of Petro’s “total peace” initiative—a strategy aimed at engaging all armed actors in the country. However, the peace process has stalled, with no substantial progress since late 2024.
Despite being classified as an illegal armed group with no political status, the ACSN has pushed to be included in the peace framework. The government initially established a “socio-legal conversation” space for such groups, but the talks have not moved beyond the initial phase. The deterioration in relations now casts doubt on whether any meaningful progress can be achieved.
As Colombia mourns the loss of a foreign scientist drawn to its natural beauty, questions grow about the reach and influence of illegal armed groups in regions heavily dependent on ecotourism. The tragedy underscores the urgent need for renewed efforts to address violence in the Sierra Nevada and ensure safety for residents and visitors alike.
