The Colombian music scene is in mourning after confirming the murder of vallenato singer Diego Pineda Maestre, which occurred in the country’s capital, in circumstances that authorities describe as violent and premeditated.
According to Colonel Pedro Saavedra, Operational Commander of Control and Reaction of the Metropolitan Police of Bogota, the homicide occurred while the artist was driving a private vehicle as a co-pilot.
What is known about Diego Pineda’s crime?
The National Police is investigating the death of vallenato singer Diego Pineda, which occurred last night in Bogota.
Diego Pineda Maestre is the brother of Nico Pineda, backing vocalist for singer Silvestre Dangond. pic.twitter.com/mgzuARXBcT
– Intervallenato com (@Intervallenato) May 17, 2025
In the middle of the street, subjects in another car approached him and opened fire directly at him, seriously wounding him.
Although he was immediately transported to a hospital in the area, he arrived without vital signs, according to police.
It is not yet known how many impacts he received, but it is presumed that it was a direct and coordinated attack, so the authorities are hypothesizing a possible act of hired assassination.
Flight, pursuit and findings
After the attack, the assailants tried to escape, but were pursued by agents who activated a “lockdown plan” in different areas of the city.
During the chase, the suspects abandoned the fleeing vehicle.
Upon inspecting the car, the agents found a traumatic weapon, as well as clothes, liquor bottles and other items of interest that are already being analyzed by experts from the Technical Investigation Corps (CTI) of the Attorney General’s Office.
Police have not yet made any arrests, and have not disclosed whether Diego had received threats or was involved in any previous conflicts.
The motives behind the crime have also not been confirmed.
Who was Diego Pineda Maestre?
Diego was a young artist recognized in the vallenato circuit, both for his talent and his musical lineage.
He was the brother of Nico Pineda, current backing singer of the famous singer Silvestre Dangond.
In 2009, Diego and Nico founded the group “Diego & Niko”, together with accordion player Javier Matta, who was recently crowned King Vallenato 2023.
Although in recent years Diego had kept a lower profile, he was still active in regional and private events, and was remembered for his charisma and traditional style in the interpretation of classic vallenato.
Another recent case shakes popular music
Buzzy
This crime is in addition to the murder of singer Dávinson Gaviria, which occurred in January of this year in the department of Cauca, in the southwest of the country.
Gaviria, 29, was attacked by a hitman after leaving a presentation in the town of Balboa.
In that case, the crime was also direct, and the artist died on the spot.
These events have generated concern among musicians and cultural managers, who denounce that artists, especially in regions where public order is fragile, are increasingly exposed to threats, extortion and armed violence.
The case of Diego Pineda Maestre is already being investigated as an aggravated homicide, and the Prosecutor’s Office is collecting images from security cameras, witness statements and forensic analysis of the abandoned vehicle.
The family has called for respect and justice, while calls are growing for the Colombian government to protect artists and promote effective investigations in these cases.
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