Colombia Probes Death of Hmong American Comedian and Activist Tou Ger Xiong

Colombia authorities are actively investigating the alleged kidnapping and murder of Tou Ger Xiong, a 50-year-old Hmong American comedian and activist, per the Independent.

Xiong's life came to a tragic end when his body was discovered in a wooded area of Medellín on Monday.

The unfolding events began when Xiong arrived in Medellín on November 29 and met a friend in the city on December 10.

Hours later, he reached out to a friend in the United States, reporting that he had been kidnapped, and his captors demanded a $2,000 ransom for his release, according to prosecutors.

The friend in the US reported the incident, a common occurrence in the city, to Medellín's prosecutor's office.

Yiri Amado Sánchez, sectional director of the prosecutor's office, confirmed the kidnapping, stating that the alleged kidnappers did not collect the ransom.

Colombia authorities are diligently investigating the circumstances surrounding Tou Ger Xiong's death.

Tou Ger Xiong: Comedian, Entertainer, and Social Justice Activist

Hmong American comedian Tou Ger Xiong, who resides in Woodbury, Minnesota, was not only a comedian and entertainer but also a storyteller and social justice activist, according to ABC News.

Born in Laos in 1973, Xiong's family sought refuge in Thailand after the communist takeover in 1975. They spent four years in a refugee camp before resettling in St. Paul, Minnesota, home to the largest Hmong community in the US.

A valedictorian of Humboldt High School's class of 1992, Xiong earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Carleton College.

He played a pivotal role in establishing "Hmong Minnesota Day" at the Minnesota State Fair in 2015, commemorating the 40th anniversary of Hmong refugees' arrival in the state.

His family, comprising 11 siblings, described Xiong as someone who dedicated his life to building bridges across cultures, giving a voice to the voiceless, and advocating for justice.

Kidnap-Murder Case Raises Alarming Trends

The Hmong American comedian's apparent kidnapping and murder have brought attention to alarming trends in major Colombia cities, including Medellín.

The comedian was seen in high spirits on December 3, recording himself at a Karol G concert. A week later, he was reportedly attacked and kidnapped by a group of men, and his body was later found in a ravine, the NY Post noted.

The circumstances of Xiong's case resemble a honeytrap scheme prevalent in Colombia cities, where individuals are lured into dangerous situations after meeting people online.

Foreigners, especially tourists, are often targeted through online dating applications or in bars and nightclubs, according to the US Embassy in Bogota.

These schemes often involve the use of scopolamine, a dangerous sedative that can be hidden in food and beverages, rendering victims unconscious for extended periods.

While it remains unclear if this substance was involved in Xiong's case, his grieving brother is collaborating with US Embassy officials to repatriate his sibling.

One suspect has already been taken into custody.

Hmong American comedian Tou Ger Xiong's case bears similarities to the death of another Asian American tourist in Colombia last year, highlighting the need for caution and awareness when engaging with strangers, particularly in unfamiliar environments.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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