A information photographer was killed within the Mexican border metropolis of Tijuana on Monday, the identical day press teams stated a reporter had been killed within the Gulf coast state of Veracruz final week.
The 2 killings marked a grim begin to 2022 in Mexico, which is taken into account probably the most harmful locations for reporters outdoors lively battle zones.
Photographer Margarito Martínez was well-known for overlaying the crime scene in violence-plagued Tijuana. He labored for the native information outlet Cadena Noticias, in addition to for different nationwide and worldwide media retailers.
Cadena Noticias reporter Antonio Maya stated Martínez was attacked as he left his residence.
“He was popping out of his home after they opened fireplace on him,” Maya stated.
Additionally Monday, press teams say a Mexican journalist who criticized native authorities in Veracruz state died, a number of days after he was discovered badly wounded.
José Luis Gamboa was the director of the net information website Inforegio, within the Gulf coast state of Veracruz. The press group Reporters With out Borders wrote that “Gamboa had denounced and strongly criticized the relations between native authorities and arranged crime.”
He had reportedly suffered stab wounds in what might have been a theft. He died at a hospital within the state capital on Jan. 10, however his family members weren’t knowledgeable till Jan. 14.
Martínez and Gamboa had been the primary two journalists killed this 12 months, however 48 journalists have been slain in Mexico since December 2018. Mexico is likely one of the most harmful locations for reporters outdoors lively battle zones.
In December, a senior authorities human rights official stated that 90% of crimes in opposition to activists and journalists go unpunished in Mexico.
Alejandro Encinas, Mexico’s assistant inside secretary accountable for human rights, stated that in instances the place the culprits have been recognized, virtually half are native officers.
Native officers in Mexico are sometimes angered by corruption accusations in opposition to them, however in some instances they’re additionally in league with felony or enterprise pursuits.
Encinas stated new legal guidelines are wanted to guard activists and reporters.
