Four Family Members Assassinated In N. Bogota (Modelia)

ElPadrino1 says on Dec 20, 2005, 22:36:

complete story eltiempo.com / bogotá


Ayer, la casa estaba totalmente cerrada, al igual que las cortinas. Solo se veían los adornos de Navidad.
Abel Cárdenas / EL TIEMPO


Diciembre 21 de 2005
En el barrio Modelia de Bogotá fueron asesinados cuatro miembros de la familia Contreras

Los disparos fueron hechos con silenciador. La Policía halló los cuerpos de dos hombres y de dos mujeres. Todos tenían tiros de gracia en la cabeza.

“Te llamo más tarde. Es que estoy con mi papá y unos amigos, haciendo un negocio”. Esa fue la última frase que oyó alguien del ingeniero de minas Óscar Eduardo Contreras, de 33 años, a través del celular.

Era poco después de las 4 de la tarde del pasado lunes. En la casa de los Contreras Calderón, en el barrio Modelia, estaba toda la familia: el papá, Luis Eduardo, de 58 años; la mamá, Luz Elvira, de 54; y los hijos, Óscar Eduardo y Orfa, esta última de 29 años y bacterióloga.

Después de un rato, los vecinos oyeron ruidos extraños, como de golpes muy fuertes, que provenían de la casa de los Contreras.
Uno de ellos, que vive en la cuadra desde hace mucho tiempo, dijo que lo mejor era abrir la puerta pues habían visto salir sospechosamente a dos hombres del lugar.

Al entrar encontraron los cuerpos de los dos hombres de la familia, en la sala, el equipo de sonido prendido y latas de cerveza. En el segundo piso estaban los cadáveres de las dos mujeres y los televisores encendidos. Todos tenían tiros en la cabeza y tal parece que les dispararon con silenciador.

Luis Eduardo, el padre, era comerciante de esmeraldas en el centro de la ciudad y tenía negocios en Almeida (Boyacá). Su esposa se dedicaba al hogar.

Los vecinos del sector están aterrados, pues manifiestan que nunca antes había ocurrido un hecho similar en ese barrio, y prefieren no hablar mucho del tema.

Los vigilantes, por su parte, dijeron que los Contreras eran una familia común y corriente. “El papá y el hijo salían temprano y regresaban por la noche. Nos saludaban cordialmente, pero no pagaban celaduría, como tampoco lo hacen muchas personas de la cuadra”.

Ayer la casa estaba totalmente cerrada, así como las cortinas. Por las ventanas se veían adornos de Navidad.

La Policía cree que se trata de una venganza por negocios turbios.

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litost says on Dec 21, 2005, 01:15:

Modelia is not North Bogota. Sad case... but what's your point?

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litost says on Dec 21, 2005, 01:15:

m

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Thededalus says on Dec 21, 2005, 05:51:

Modelia I just want to second what GIB said about Modelia. I lived their for nearly a year, albeit awhile ago, from '98 to '99. As compared to most neighborhoods that I've been to in Bogota, Modelia was quite relaxed. I rarely ever felt unsafe there...

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maraca says on Dec 21, 2005, 06:59:

Whats the point of this thread? I dont get it.

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ElPadrino1 says on Dec 21, 2005, 08:35:

MANY TIMES ONE COULD ASK HERE, WHAT IS THE POINT.. Looking at some of the Postings, not a WORD about Colombia-Cameras, Vanity, ect. Another article, posted just below this article, has to do with something like "More people kidnapped in mexico are murdered then in Colombia" Did you ask what was the point? This article has to do with COlOMBIA, its a neighborhood close to the embassy, visited by many NorthAmericans ect. Its posting (article) violated NO house rules as I reviewed PBH Rules on how, what, why, personal attacks, foul langauge-see no PBH violations. One Violation -my Lady friend contends its North Bogota. but the NW area, so she well could have erred in her Geography. HAHA! Did that change the dynamic of the Article? I am willing to bet that the grieving family could care less it happened in the North, west, south east, WNW, ESE, ect. My advice would be, if you don't care to read the article, scroll on by; others may be interested in the article. Simple. Have a Good Day. Feliz Navidad! And a safe one....

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litost says on Dec 21, 2005, 08:38:

ok...still don't see the ok...

still don't see the point!

As far as the "north" or not to "north", I know it doesn't make a difference to the victims but since you brought it up I just felt it was ok to correct you. Modelia is by no means North Bogota. If you look at a map of the city it'll probably be somewhere really close to the center. But it's even further off if you consider what is traditionally and widely considered the North which is from calle 72 northwards. Maybe to someone living in Usme or Ciudad Bolivar it seems north, but it's not north. I bet you there are a lot of people in the north who would tell you Modelia's in the south! Perceptions.

The thing is that the way you present the information suggests that since the crime took place in a neighborhood close to the US Embassy this means it's very dangerous and gringos should be worried. If this is the case, I have to disagree, it is an unfortunate crime of the type that does happen occasionally (not daily like some would want us to believe) but especially - and this is the point - under certain circumstances like when related to drug trade or in this case esmerald dealers. It happened to be in Modelia, but it could as well have been in the north, center, south, whatever. If someone's out to get you, they will find you and you're over. Period. But if you arelike the majority of people, stick to your business and stay legal, there is no reason why this type of thing would ever affect you.

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ElPadrino1 says on Dec 21, 2005, 08:42:

Litost, let me ask you... As I mentioned in my last post, other posts(recent)have NOTHING to do with Colombia, completely off topic then, Do you ask the question "What's the Point" was my point.

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Dec 21, 2005, 08:54:

I don't get the point either, litost. It's a tragedy in a Colombian family, in a normal Colombian neighborhood. I'm really sorry for these people. Yet, posting it here only seems to serve one purpose: to alert an occasional gringo visitor that there is crime and death present everywhere, even in the nicest places, even in a neighborhood only about 20 blocks from the US. embassy. I'm not sure if it's an unique Colombian predicament. Would it be posted here if the same kind of thing happened in New York, just a few blocks from the nearest latino supermarket? Could it have happened there? If it could, should we stop visitng New York city because of it?

Cheers,
Desi

Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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ElPadrino1 says on Dec 21, 2005, 09:01:

That is the beauty of Freedom of Internet Choice And a Mouse If you like an Article or Link, you stop, if not scroll on by, like others here. Simple. Have a Good Day. And a Safe One...

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Dec 21, 2005, 09:17:

gringo, "thought this was a web site about Colombia and not NYC. If it was about NYC or a latin barrio as you state than I am sure it would be posted and chatted about and not shot down."

and I'd be right there, saying what's the point?

I can understand your personal reasons for wanting to check out if any of your acquintances or friends were victimized, but this was apparently *un ajuste de cuentas entre esmeralderos*, a mafia-type killing. You wouldn't certainly be involved with violent people like that.

No harm in posting it, I suppose and yes, it's Colombia-related. It's local news. But no, I don't think a similar incident that happened in NYC would be widely discussed on Colombian boards in the US. Unless there was a member who had made it his mission to alert every other Colombian living or visiting the city of the potential dangers there.

Cheers,
Desi


Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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utopiacowboy says on Dec 21, 2005, 11:34:

Even if it was a mafia-type killing, why do you assume that no one on the site would be interested or possibly involved? Those of us who are married to Colombians are acquainted with a wide array of people involved in many types of activities.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Dec 21, 2005, 11:50:

ok UC, maybe it was a bad call from my part. I don't know, gringoinbogotá does have that effect on me: I get defensive every time. It's almost like he were a boxer standing in the opposite corner...

Where's gomezman? He ought to have a lot to say about this?

Cheers,
Desi

Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Dec 21, 2005, 12:18:

I'm cool, gringo taking lessons in living and getting my ears boxed from left and right.

See any pirañas in the pool?

Cheers,
Desi

Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Dec 21, 2005, 12:49:

yeah, I'm sure
batting their eyelashes and giving little griticos of delight "ohhhh so you have children! I just ADORE children and would just LOVE to raise up yours!!!!!!!" (Or was that another thread?)

I don't mind your company at all, gringo. You're the needed counterbalance to all that "I've been to Columbia and see nothing happened to me; it's much, much safer than N.Y.C"

Cheers,
Desi
(now, get back to work!)

Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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utopiacowboy says on Dec 21, 2005, 17:46:

I laughed reading about your getting your ears boxed from GIB.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Rubiazo says on Dec 21, 2005, 20:15:

Modelia is in the West Zone Anything south of 80th street and north of 1 de mayo and west of cra 30 is the west.

My gf's parents live in Modelia and she may be moving back there soon. Most of Modelia is Estrato 4. It's actually a little too quiet for my tastes. If I end up buying anything down there it will be most probably somewhere in Chapinero/Soledad.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Dec 21, 2005, 21:54:

About this I don't mean to belittle anyone's tragedy, for sure, and this is a true tragedy for those involved, but these kind of murders are the last kind that worries me. This was a hit, plain and simple. Evil and immoral, yes, but from a professional level they came and killed the people they intended to.

What worries me in Colombia is either the random lunatic killing me because, well, why not? Or else being the victim of a terrorist attack like the FARC blowing up my neighborhood bar or something.

The mafia settling scores doesn't really endanger me much.

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litost says on Jan 4, 2006, 17:04:

the point is TROLL!

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