First in 2019: Mexico journalist found murdered, governor condemns killing
A Mexican journalist was found murdered in the northern state of Baja California Sur, the governor said yesterday, the first reporter to be killed this year in what has become one of the world's most dangerous countries for the press. Rafael Murua, a community radio station director who had received death threats for his work, went missing Sunday night. Here's what happened.
This cowardly crime will not go unpunished: Governor Carlos Mendoza
Governor Carlos Mendoza confirmed the journalist had been found murdered, condemning the killing. "This cowardly crime will not go unpunished. My solidarity to the family and all journalists working in Baja California Sur," the governor wrote on Twitter. Murua, 34, was under the Mexican government's protection program for journalists and rights activists, said Balbina Flores, country director for the watchdog group Reporters Without Borders.
More than 100 journalists murdered in Mexico since 2000
The group reported at least nine journalists' murders in Mexico last year, making it the third most-dangerous country to be a reporter after war-torn Afghanistan and Syria. Racked by violent crime linked to its powerful drug cartels and fueled by political corruption, Mexico has registered over 100 journalists' murders since 2000. Most of the cases, even 90% violent crimes, have gone unpunished in Mexico.
