Colombian contractor killed in Cunupia

A brazen shooting at a construction site in central Trinidad on the afternoon of December 19 left a Colombian contractor dead while the shooters instructed his workers to run for their lives.

Jose Luis Guzman Orozco, 44, died on the spot in his van with the engine still running.

He lived at Rock River Road in St Helena.

No one else was injured as the workers complied and ran to safety.

The shooting happened around 4.20 pm on a mud road off Bejucal Road in Cunupia.

Orozco was driving his van and stopped to speak with some of his workers.

The police said a blue Hyundai Accent drove onto the site and stopped behind the contractor’s van.

Two masked men got out of the car and pointed guns at the contractor and workers.

The gunmen demanded Orozco, who was still in the driver’s seat, to “pass it.”

One of the gunmen used a nearby shovel and smashed the right rear window of the van and then grabbed a black bag that was on the rear seat.

The masked men then ordered the workers to run.

As the workers scattered, they heard a series of gunshots.

When the gunfire stopped and the car left, they returned to the scene and found Orozco motionless behind the wheels with gunshot wounds.

The engine was still running.

Investigators believe robbery to be the motive.

In a statement on December 20, Chaguanas West MP Dinesh Rambally said he was deeply disturbed by the businessman’s killing.

The job site falls within his constituency.

“This heinous act, reportedly carried out after he was followed from a bank where he withdrew cash to pay his workers, is yet another grim reminder of how criminals are targeting businesses and hardworking citizens in central Trinidad,” Rambally said.

“The level of lawlessness we are witnessing is absolutely unacceptable. Criminals cannot and must not be allowed to operate with impunity.”

The opposition MP charged that it was outrageous that business owners, who are the backbone of our economy and provide employment opportunities for so many, now live in constant fear of being targeted.

He said the police must urgently increase its efforts to ensure the safety and security of our citizens.

“We need strategic interventions to protect individuals from being followed after bank transactions, more visible police presence in high-risk areas, and immediate action to dismantle criminal networks that are wreaking havoc on our communities.”

Rambally called on the National Security Minister and the top cop to take decisive action.

“We cannot continue down this path where law-abiding citizens are left vulnerable while criminals brazenly exploit every opportunity to terrorise our communities,” the MP said.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of Jose Luis during this incredibly difficult time. Rest assured, I will continue to advocate for stronger measures to combat crime in our constituency and across the nation.”

He added that everyone deserves to live and work without fear.

He also called for people to honour the memory of those we have lost by demanding real change and holding leaders accountable.