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October 30, 2024 – Mexico –
Mexican journalist Mauricio Cruz Solís was gunned down in the city of Uruapan, located in the violence-ridden state of Michoacán. The 25-year-old reporter was shot shortly after conducting a live-streamed interview with Uruapan’s mayor, Carlos Manzo, for his media outlet Minuto x Minuto. Cruz was known for covering local politics and community issues. According to authorities, he was targeted while returning from his assignment, and a bystander was also wounded during the shooting.
Cruz Solís’s killing has sent shockwaves through the press community in Mexico, as it marks the first journalist murdered under the administration of newly elected President Claudia Sheinbaum. His death also underscores the growing risks faced by reporters in regions controlled or influenced by organized crime groups. Uruapan, like much of Michoacán, is plagued by cartel violence and corruption, making it one of the most dangerous areas for journalists in the country.
Mexico remains one of the deadliest countries in the world for journalists outside of active war zones. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), over 150 journalists have been killed in Mexico since 1994. In the past year alone, at least seven media workers have lost their lives, most of them covering corruption, crime, or politics. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports that the vast majority of these cases remain unresolved, contributing to a widespread culture of impunity.
Cruz Solís did not receive any form of official protection, despite working in high-risk environments. Press freedom organizations, including CPJ and UNESC,O have condemned his murder and called for an immediate and thorough investigation. They urged the Mexican government to deliver justice not only in this case, but also in the many others that remain stalled or ignored.
Mauricio Cruz Solís’s assassination is a grim reminder of the dangers journalists face simply for doing their jobs. Without meaningful accountability, each killing reinforces a message of fear. His death highlights an urgent need for Mexico to implement stronger protective mechanisms, end impunity, and ensure that the press can operate freely and safely.
Reference –
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/journalist-killed-mexico-mauricio-cruz-solis/
