On Saturday, Mexican journalists held a vigil and protest following the murder of their colleague, Roberto Figueroa, in the southern state of Morelos, according to local media. Figueroa, the host and producer of the show “Acá en el Show”, was the first journalist to be murdered in Mexico in 2024.
Journalists convened at the Memorial for the Victims of Morelos, demanding justice for Figueroa, whose body was found on a rural road near the Coajomulco forest in Morelos. Quadratín news agency reports pointed out that Figueroa was abducted on April 26, 2024, shortly after dropping his daughters off at a high school in Cuernavaca. His wife received a call demanding ransom for his release after he failed to return home. Despite paying the ransom, Figueroa was found dead in an abandoned vehicle with a gunshot wound to the head. Another unidentified male’s body was found nearby.
At the protest, journalist Jaime Luis Brito expressed concerns about the persistent violence and ungovernability in the state. The Government of Morelos condemned Figueroa’s murder via its X (formerly Twitter) account and asked the State Attorney General’s Office to identify those responsible. Their post also announced efforts to provide support to Figueroa’s family members through the Victims’ Assistance Commission.
While official confirmation from the prosecutor’s office on whether Figueroa’s murder was linked to his journalistic role is pending, his colleagues assert that it was. Representatives at the protest stated their belief that Figueroa’s murder was tied directly to his profession. Protesters displayed signs reading “You don’t kill the truth by killing journalists. Stop impunity,” “No more violence” and “Press. Don’t shoot,” while seeking congressional action to protect freedom of expression.
Senator Carlos Aceves del Olmo condemned Figueroa’s murder via his X account, joining the call for a free and safe press in Mexico. The Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights also condemned Figueroa’s murder, urging a thorough investigation into the crime.
Year after year, Mexico remains one of the deadliest countries globally for journalists, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Since 1995, the country has seen the killings of 156 journalists, and 31 more remain missing. Article 19 reports that 2022 marked a peak, with a record 13 journalists murdered. The Mexican President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, faces criticism from RSF for failing to stem the violence against the press.
Apart from the imminent physical threats, journalists have also faced verbal threats from high-ranking officials, including President Obrador himself, who have accused them of siding with the opposition. Together, these circumstances contribute to the challenging environment that journalists in Mexico continue to operate under.
More details about the story can be found at Jurist – News.