Two Mexican journalists were shot dead in less than 24 hours in western states, according to authorities, as the country faces a flare-up of violence in the region.
Patricia Ramirez, also known by her nickname Paty Bunbury, was shot dead in the western state of Colima on Wednesday afternoon, according to the state prosecutor’s office. Ramirez worked as an entertainment reporter.
This came a day after Mauricio Cruz, the head of an online news outlet in Mexico, was killed late on Tuesday in the city of Uruapan in the violence-plagued western state of Michoacán. Another person was also wounded in the shooting.
The killings marked the first of journalists under the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office at the beginning of this month and has pledged to combat violence and crime. However, Sheinbaum has said her government would not wage a new war on Mexico’s drug cartels.
Mexico is ranked as one of the deadliest countries in the world for journalists by press freedom groups. Uruapan, where Cruz was killed, is known for brazen crimes such as beheadings stemming from fighting between drug cartels or clashes with law enforcement.
The back-to-back killings of the two journalists underscore the persistent threat and risks faced by members of the media in certain regions of Mexico, where violence linked to organized crime remains a major challenge. The new administration will be closely watched for its response and efforts to improve the safety of journalists.
VOA
