Journalist Alejandro Gallegos Leon was found dead in the Mexican state of Tabasco. He went missing on January 24, and his remains were found the next day in the city of Cárdenas. Authorities have launched an investigation, and human rights activists are calling for action to protect journalists.
This was reported by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
Alejandro Gallegos was 51 years old. He served as editor-in-chief of the news website La Voz del Pueblo, which covered regional politics in Tabasco. Gallegos also taught at the University of Alpha and Omega and practiced law.
His media outlet mainly published short news stories and videos about the region's political life. Despite the worsening crime situation in the state, La Voz del Pueblo did not specialize in investigative journalism or crime coverage.
It is not yet known whether Gallegos has received threats. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) attempted to contact his family and editorial staff, but requests went unanswered.
The Tabasco Prosecutor's Office (FGE) announced that it had opened an investigation into the murder, but did not disclose details. A few days later, Tabasco Governor Javier Mai announced the arrest of the suspect, without providing further information.
The Committee to Protect Journalists said this was the second murder of a journalist in Mexico in recent weeks.
«If the authorities do not properly investigate these crimes, President Claudia Sheinbaum's promises to protect press freedom will remain empty words», – said Jan-Albert Hutsen, CPJ's Mexico representative.
The Federal Mechanism for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists, which provides protection to media representatives, said Gallegos was not part of the protection program.
Mexico remains one of the most dangerous countries for journalists. Impunity and high levels of violence make the work of reporters increasingly dangerous. International human rights organizations are calling on the government to take steps to effectively protect media workers and bring perpetrators to justice.