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June 17, 2025 – Mexico –
Four years ago, in June 2021, the investigative reporter and civic activist Gustavo Sánchez Cabrera was gunned down in Fresnillo, Zacatecas. At the time, he was gathering evidence related to corruption and armed groups. Despite the federal government’s promises of a thorough investigation, no one has been held accountable, and the inquiry has stalled.
In a joint communiqué issued yesterday, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and civic association Propuesta Cívica underscored this alarming paralysis in Mexico’s justice system. They noted that key leads—including suspects and links to corrupt local officials—remain unexamined, pointing to a broader pattern: over 99% of journalist murders since 2000 in Mexico have gone unpunished. RSF had previously condemned this failure, but the authorities’ promises have produced no meaningful follow-through.
In response, RSF and Propuesta Cívica have launched a public petition demanding concrete action. The petition urges the federal government to:
- Reopen and fully investigate all lines of inquiry in Sánchez Cabrera’s case;
- Strengthen protection mechanisms for journalists, especially in states with high rates of violence, such as Zacatecas.
- Accelerate prosecution and dismantle impunity by prosecuting suspects and colluding officials.
They emphasize that this is not just about one murder—it reflects a systemic failure to safeguard freedom of expression and enforce the rule of law. The organizations warn that without urgent reforms, violence against the press will continue unchecked.
RSF and Propuesta Cívica hold the federal authorities—and Zacatecas state officials—responsible for transforming their words into action. The petition aims to galvanize public support, pressuring the government to act decisively and restore citizens’ confidence in institutions.
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