- Organizations like Caribe Afirmativo account for 46 murders of LGBTIQ+ people in Colombia between January and September 2026.
- In 2025, 270 homicides were recorded, approximately one every 32 hours.
- On September 17, Roxxy Vanessa Astaiza Mosquera, a trans leader and activist, was murdered in Popayán.
The LGBTIQ+ violence in Colombia shows no mercy. Human rights organizations, including Caribe Afirmativo, have documented 46 murders of LGBTIQ+ people between January and September 2026. One of the latest is that of Roxxy Vanessa Astaiza Mosquera, a trans leader murdered on September 17 in Popayán (Cauca).
How many LGBTIQ+ people have been murdered in Colombia?
Between January and September 2026, 46 homicides of LGBTIQ+ people have been documented in Colombia, according to human rights organizations like Caribe Afirmativo. This figure adds to a particularly harsh 2025, with 270 murders: approximately one every 32 hours.
That year, Valle del Cauca (46 cases), Antioquia (41), and Bogotá (40) accounted for nearly half of the homicides. According to El País (Bolivia), which collects data from these organizations, more than 92% of the crimes remain unsolved.
Much more than homicides
The murders are just the tip of the iceberg of violence against the LGBTIQ+ population in Colombia. During 2025, Caribe Afirmativo documented 1,531 cases of domestic violence, 1,184 threats, 628 incidents of sexual violence, and 360 acts of discrimination.
These figures depict a daily and structural violence, which often begins at home and in the closest environment.
Who was Roxxy Vanessa Astaiza?
Roxxy Vanessa Astaiza Mosquera was a trans activist and social leader from Popayán, a Philosophy student at the University of Cauca. She was part of Mariposas Negras, a collective led by trans women that works in art, community self-employment, and the defense of human rights.
In addition, she was a candidate for the Departmental Advisory Council of Women of Cauca for 2026-2029, a space with weight in the gender equity policies of the department.
What is known about her death?
Roxxy Astaiza died on September 17 in a hospital in Popayán due to the serious injuries she sustained, according to authorities, during a fight. The events are being investigated by the Prosecutor’s Office. According to El Tiempo, LGBTIfobia is not ruled out as a motive. Indepaz has warned of a possible transfeminicide.
According to Indepaz, her murder is the 111th of leaders and social activists in Colombia in 2026. Indigenous leader Aída Quilcué claimed that her life, leadership, and fight for the rights of trans women cannot be silenced by violence. The University of Cauca expressed its deep sorrow.
A political context that worries
On the same September 17, the Colombian government officially announced its withdrawal from the Coalition for Equality of Rights, the international mechanism for LGBTI rights that it co-chaired with Spain. Organizations in the collective fear that this decision represents a setback at a time of increasing violence.
Frequently asked questions
How many LGBTIQ+ people were murdered in Colombia in 2025?
There were 270 homicides recorded, according to data from human rights organizations.
Who was Roxxy Astaiza?
A trans leader from Popayán, a member of the Mariposas Negras collective and a candidate for the Women’s Advisory Council of Cauca.
Is it being investigated as a hate crime?
The Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the case and LGBTIfobia is not ruled out as a motive.
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