Mexican Journalist Adriano Bachega Shot Dead in Monterrey Amid Growing Press Violence

December 4, 2024 – Mexico –

Journalist Adriano Bachega Olvera was shot and killed in Monterrey, Nuevo León, becoming the latest victim of Mexico’s worsening violence against the press. Bachega, originally from Argentina and a naturalized Mexican citizen, was the editor-in-chief of Diario Digital Online and known for his work in media, business consulting, and communication strategy.

According to reports, Bachega was driving along Avenida Lázaro Cárdenas, near the border of Monterrey and San Pedro Garza García, when his vehicle was ambushed by gunmen in at least two other cars. Witnesses say more than ten shots were fired at his vehicle before it veered off and collided with a traffic barrier. Authorities later recovered bullet casings and an assault rifle at the scene. He was declared dead at the site.

The Nuevo León Attorney General’s Office has opened an investigation, but no arrests have been made. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemned the murder and called on authorities to prioritize the case under Mexico’s protocol for crimes against freedom of expression. Advocacy groups are demanding transparency, accountability, and a serious investigation into whether Bachega’s murder was linked to his journalistic work.

Mexico remains one of the deadliest countries for journalists, with over 100 reporters killed since 2000, most with complete impunity. Bachega’s murder follows a familiar pattern: a targeted, brazen daylight attack on a journalist, likely meant to send a message and silence dissenting voices. He is the latest in a series of media professionals assassinated in the region, where organized crime, corruption, and inadequate state protection have made journalism a deadly profession.

Bachega’s colleagues and press freedom groups are urging both state and federal authorities to act decisively, not only to deliver justice but also to deter future violence. His death is not just a tragedy for those who knew him—it is another grim reminder of the risks journalists face for doing their jobs in Mexico, and of the urgent need to break the cycle of impunity that continues to silence the truth.

Reference – 

https://ground.news/article/one-is-murdered-in-his-car-in-lazaro-cardenas

Journalist Adriano Bachega murdered in Nuevo Leon, Mexico