A radio reporter has been shot dead in the Mexican Gulf Coast state of Veracruz, becoming at least the fifth Mexican journalist to be murdered in the country this year.
Jacinto Romero Flores, who covered politics and crime in the Zongolica municipality, was shot dead on Thursday in the Ixtazoquitlán settlement.
The head of the Veracruz State Security Agency, Hugo Gutierrez Maldonado, said on Twitter that state police were conducting an operation in the area following the killing.
Romero worked for Ori Stereo 99.3 FM, which released a statement expressing grief over his death. “There are no words to express the pain and powerlessness we feel after the irreparable loss of our colleague Jacinto Romero Flores,” it said in a statement.
“The media is not the cause or effect of violence in the country, but we suffer the consequences for journalism and communication,” it said.
According to local media, Romero had received several threats after local police officials reported allegations of abuse.
The State Commission for the Attention and Protection of Journalists condemned the murder and called on the state prosecutor’s office to launch a full investigation, including what role Romero’s journalism played in his murder. Press freedom organization Article 19 said Romero had received threats.
The US-based Committee to Protect Journalists said via Twitter that it “strongly condemns the murder of reporter Jacinto Romero in the state of Veracruz and urges authorities to conduct a prompt, transparent and detailed investigation of the murder”.
Veracruz has been one of the most dangerous states for journalists for years, in a country that Deadliest in the world for media persons. Last year, Mexico accounted for nearly a third of all journalists killed in the world.
The state has major routes for banned substances, and local politicians have forged powerful alliances with organized crime factions.
Journalists marched late Thursday in the port city of Veracruz to protest against Romero’s killing.
Press groups say nine journalists killed Mexico In 2020, making it the most dangerous country for journalists outside war zones. Romero is at least the fifth journalist killed in Mexico this year.
Earlier this month, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel publicly Threats to kill a prominent TV news anchor Which he described as “inappropriate” coverage.