Mexico: Journalist Rosario Martínez De la Vega and Family Threatened by Alleged Police Agent
Incident follows reporter’s investigations into political corruption in Guanajuato
Location: Mexico, Guanajuato
Date: October 31, 2023
Rosario Martínez De la Vega, a correspondent for Los Angeles Press in Guanajuato, was intimidated by an alleged police agent. The officer arrived in an Uber and refused to identify himself. The Coalition For Women In Journalism expresses unwavering solidarity with Rosario Martínez De la Vega. We vehemently condemn threats and intimidation targeting women journalists and demand authorities take immediate measures to ensure the journalist's safety and investigate the matter.
"Half an hour ago, a person who identified himself as a ministerial police officer, I don't know if federal or state, arrived to look for me at my home, I was not there. He was supposedly going to leave a summons; With a very despotic attitude, he refused to leave the document," says Rosario Martínez De la Vega, a correspondent for Los Angeles Press in Guanajuato, in response to the threats and intimidation directed at her by an unidentified person claiming to be a police officer.
The alleged police agent arrived at the journalist's family's home, inquiring about her and threatening to "bust" a family member if they did not provide the information he sought, without specifying what he meant by this.
The agent, whose affiliation is still unknown, made verbal and physical threats, even preventing the door from closing with his foot while uttering intimidating phrases such as: "Do you want me to blow you up?"
Martínez De la Vega, in her report of the events, stated that the alleged police agent arrived in an Uber vehicle, raising suspicions about his legitimacy as a law enforcement official. The person refused to provide clear identification, only showing a blue badge with his name concealed.
Martínez De la Vega believes her reporting on political corruption and the absence of transparency in certain public sectors in Guanajuato is the reason for the threats.
In response to this situation, the journalist has expressed deep concern for her safety and her family’s.
The threats encountered by women reporters serve as a powerful reminder of the hazardous environment that journalists in Mexico face when they endeavor to hold those in positions of power accountable.
The dangerous alliance between officials and organized crime not only jeopardizes the safety of journalists but also undermines the integrity of the entire judicial system. Journalists who dare report on sensitive political matters or criminal activities, particularly at the local level, are frequently warned, threatened, and ultimately, brutally assassinated. Some journalists are forcibly abducted and never found, while others are compelled to flee their homes, seeking refuge in other regions of the country or even abroad as their only means of ensuring their survival.
CFWIJ is actively engaged in monitoring and documenting the various forms of aggression, specifically targeting women journalists in Mexico. We have diligently recorded numerous violations and are steadfast in our commitment to addressing these pressing issues. It is profoundly disheartening that Mexico continues to uphold its reputation as the most dangerous and deadliest country for journalists, persisting year after year.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands firmly in solidarity with Rosario Martínez De la Vega. We strongly condemn the death threats that have been directed towards her and her family. Authorities take immediate action to provide the necessary protection and carry out a comprehensive investigation to ensure the safety of journalists in their pursuit of truth and accountability.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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