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Death of a Hero
Death of a Hero
Jonas Wresch
April 28, 2025
The impact of Colombia’s 52-year civil war between the government and the guerrilla group FARC has left its mark on the country’s population. By the time the war ended in 2016, it had taken a devastating toll: more than 220 000 dead, 150 000 missing, six million displaced and millions traumatised. Edgar Tumiña’s family is among those touched by tragedy: the well-known peace activist lost his brother and, ultimately, his own life.
German photographer Jonas Wresch and Stern author Jan Christoph Wiechmann had previously accompanied Tumiña as part of a long-term project. In 2014, Tumiña’s brother was killed by Carlos Yatacué, a commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) – the country’s largest guerrilla organisation. Yet in the aftermath of this heinous crime, Tumiña and his brother’s murderer were practically living next door to each other. Every day, their paths crossed on the streets of Toribíos, permanently confronting them with each other’s existence.
Forgive and forget? In the beginning, this would have been unthinkable. Edgar Tumiña never received an apology for the death of his brother. Yatacué considered apologising several times, and once nearly succeeded, but backed out just before their planned meeting. Tumiña, meanwhile, for a long time harboured feelings of revenge. But in the end, he became a dedicated advocate for peace.
His brother’s killer, Yatacué, is currently participating in a complex re-integration programme initiated by the Guardia Indígena. This involves 60 years of community service instead of a lengthy prison sentence. The pay is barely enough to live on. But that is the purpose of the programme: for the perpetrators to atone, to face the families of their victims, and to seek deep, spiritual forgiveness in line with the traditions of Colombia’s indigenous peoples.
A few weeks ago, Edgar Tumiña was the target of a fatal shooting – the motivation behind the attack is still unclear. The Colombian people will remember him as a national hero. To support Tumiña’s family and to honour his work as an activist for reconciliation, Jonas Wresch and Jan Christoph Wiechmann have launched a fundraising campaign – selling portraits of the father-of-four, photographed during their last meeting. What we see in these pictures is a man who radiates strength and resilience.
Visit the campaign page to offer support and find out more.
Eliza TrappGerman photographer Jonas Wresch and Stern author Jan Christoph Wiechmann had previously accompanied Tumiña as part of a long-term project. In 2014, Tumiña’s brother was killed by Carlos Yatacué, a commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) – the country’s largest guerrilla organisation. Yet in the aftermath of this heinous crime, Tumiña and his brother’s murderer were practically living next door to each other. Every day, their paths crossed on the streets of Toribíos, permanently confronting them with each other’s existence.
Forgive and forget? In the beginning, this would have been unthinkable. Edgar Tumiña never received an apology for the death of his brother. Yatacué considered apologising several times, and once nearly succeeded, but backed out just before their planned meeting. Tumiña, meanwhile, for a long time harboured feelings of revenge. But in the end, he became a dedicated advocate for peace.
His brother’s killer, Yatacué, is currently participating in a complex re-integration programme initiated by the Guardia Indígena. This involves 60 years of community service instead of a lengthy prison sentence. The pay is barely enough to live on. But that is the purpose of the programme: for the perpetrators to atone, to face the families of their victims, and to seek deep, spiritual forgiveness in line with the traditions of Colombia’s indigenous peoples.
A few weeks ago, Edgar Tumiña was the target of a fatal shooting – the motivation behind the attack is still unclear. The Colombian people will remember him as a national hero. To support Tumiña’s family and to honour his work as an activist for reconciliation, Jonas Wresch and Jan Christoph Wiechmann have launched a fundraising campaign – selling portraits of the father-of-four, photographed during their last meeting. What we see in these pictures is a man who radiates strength and resilience.
Visit the campaign page to offer support and find out more.
ALL IMAGES ON THIS PAGE: © Jonas Wresch
Jonas Wresch+-
Jonas Wresch was born in Bad Dürkheim, Germany, in 1988. After finishing his A-levels in 2007, he completed a six-month internship at the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
In 2015 he completed his studies in photojournalism and documentary photography at the Hanover University of Applied Sciences. His work has been exhibited at various festivals around the world. Wresch is a member of the Agentur Focus photo agency. He received the Freelens Award in 2016, as well as the STERN Grant scholarship award from July 2016 to June 2017. More
