an illegal armed group. After being released some hours later, he left the country with his family. Murillo relocated to the United States, where he became a voice for equality, security, and development in Colombia. Murillo was determined of a greater need for political debate and organizing and he began working at the Lutheran World Relief (LWR), as the US-Colombia Policy Coordinator and was later, promoted to the position of Senior International Policy Analyst. Murillo worked to make the voices of marginalized global citizens, especially Colombians, heard in the foreign policy debate in Washington, D.C. and the international community. His work was part of LWR’s efforts to resolve conflict and to build peace around the world through local projects backed by education and advocacy in the United States. Murillo is an advocate of Afro-Colombians and Afro-Latinos. He has created links between Afro-Colombian, Afro-Latino and African American civil society, public, and popular elected leaders. Murillo is an advocate for U.S. foreign aid that promotes equality and just development in Latin America and, hence calls for broad changes in U.S. policy toward the region. Murillo regularly participates in Congressional Briefings and lectures about critical topics of foreign policy in the United States. Articles written by, or about Murillo have appeared in The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, Miami Herald, New Amsterdam, Chicago Tribune, Source and Crisis Magazines'', among others. Murillo served at the Phelps Stokes Fund as Senior Fellow and Vice President for Programs and Strategy, Murillo led an initiative that integrates leadership, development, security, energy, environment, and culture within the framework of foreign policy. The aim of this initiative was to promote development and diversity in Latin America and throughout the world, through the promotion of youth leadership, creative social and economic inclusion, and policy and institutional transformation that are sensitive to Afro-Descendants, Indigenous, and other marginalized social groups. Murillo also has served on the board of directors and on advisory committees of various U.S. based organizations, such as the Colombian Human Rights Committee, US Office on Colombia, American Friends Service Committee, the Global Exchange Speaking Bureau, and the Center for International Policy. Return to Colombia and Todos Somos Pacifico After several years working in Washington, Murillo returned to Colombia in 2011 when he won for second time the election for governor of Choco, his native state. However, after a year and half in the position, he was removed once again