Hmong American Activist and Comedian Murdered in Colombia

Colombian authorities are investigating the alleged kidnapping and murder of Tou Ger Xiong, a Hmong American comedian and activist, who was found dead in Medellín. Xiong had arrived in the city on November 29 and was reported missing on December 10. His captors demanded a $2,000 ransom, but did not collect the money. Xiong's family described him as someone who dedicated his life to building bridges across cultures and working towards justice. This year, Colombian prosecutors have documented 253 kidnappings for attempted extortion. Xiong is one of three American tourists murdered in Colombia in the past month.