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Monday, March 27, 2017

Third Mexican Journalist assassinated in March; this time in Chihuahua capital (UPDATED)

Posted by DD republished in part from Mexico News Daily and Insight Crime

 


Reported by Mexico News Daily,
A well known Chihuahua journalist was killed Thursday morning in the state capital, the third to be assassinated in Mexico this month.

Miroslava Breach Velducea, 54, was killed by four gunshots fired at close range while in a vehicle in the Infonavit Nacional neighborhood at 7:00am, said state police in a statement.

She was outside her home when the attack took place, and was about to drive her son to school.

The victim was a correspondent for La Jornada and El Norte de Juárez and had recently launched a news agency.


 According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), 74 percent of journalists killed in Mexico since 1992 covered crime, 29 percent covered corruption and 24 percent covered politics.

Insight Crime reported "Along those lines, Marcela Turati Muñoz, an award-winning reporter for the Mexican news outlet Proceso, told InSight Crime that it was impossible to confirm that organized crime was directly responsible for these killings. But Turati also pointed out that it is just as plausible that the assassinations have to do with political power struggles involving corrupt local politicians and businessmen as it is that they have do with drug trafficking cartels.

"It is easy for many assassins in these areas [where the journalists were killed] to disguise their crimes as the work of organized crime, because they know that no one will thoroughly investigate if the crime presents organized crime characteristics," Turati wrote in an email.

"In Chihuahua, for example, there aren't only cartel disputes, there is also an ongoing political dispute, a political readjustment. And in each of these three states [Guerrero, Veracruz, Chihuahua], links between politicians and cartels come to light," she added.

In March 2016, Breach had written specifically about these links in the state of Chihuahua, revealing the family ties between local candidates for elections and criminal groups."

 
 During her career, the journalist had spoken out against human rights violations and the negative impacts of drug trafficking. Among the most recent subjects she investigated was the displacement of hundreds of familes by drug trafficking organizations in Chihuahua, and organized crime's infiltration of local elections.



Journalists converged Thursday afternoon at the state Congress where one, in a move described as unprecedented, was given the microphone to address legislators. César Ibarra condemned the crime and called on lawmakers to consult with journalists in the formulation of new laws for their protection.

Congress has been criticized for considering legislation without input from the profession.

Attorney General César Agosto Peniche Espejel said the chief line of investigation in the case centers around Breach Velducea’s profession. But she had neither sought protection nor made complaints of threats against her, he said.

One newspaper reported a message was left at the scene but authorities have offered no details about it.


The journalist’s death was lamented in the Senate Thursday after the news was announced by a visibly distraught Senator from Chihuahua.

“We are concerned, troubled, outraged and hurt by what happened today: an insidious assassination for which there is no justification, that cannot have any explanation and must have an immediate response from the state of Chihuahua so that those who committed this crime are truly punished,” said Graciela Ortiz.

She hailed the victim as a critical woman who was consistent and honest in her work.

Senators paid tribute with a minute of silence.

United States Ambassador Roberta Jacobson expressed her condolences on Twitter, adding that “this and other crimes against journalists should not go unpunished to the detriment of freedom of the press.”

Chihuahua has seen a surge in violence in recent months. Last weekend alone there were at least 14 murders reported.

Mexico was denounced last month as the most dangerous country in Latin America for journalists. Reporters Without Borders said 99 were assassinated between 2000 and 2016.

Breach Velducea was the third victim this month. Veracruz journalist Ricardo Monlui Cabrera was gunned down
in Veracruz on March 19; the journalist was shot at pointblank range while exiting a restaurant with his family, reported La Jornada. In 2010, Monlui's son had denounced being kidnapped, shot and left for dead by municipal police.
  

On March 2, Cecilio Pineda Brito was assassinated by two men on a motorcycle in the state of Guerrero. Pineda, who covered the crime beat, had survived a previous attempt on his life in 2015 and had repeatedly received death threats since then. The Guerrero State Attorney General Xavier Olea Peláez said that organized crime was behind his murder, according to El Universal.

82 comments:

  1. RIP, she was brave and incorruptible. Not like the politicians and the President.

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    Replies
    1. But she dead!

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    2. @5:47am you can kill a single journalist but the ideas she stood for can never be shot dead. At the very worst these killers have elevated her to a martyr status by killing her. Trying to silence the media the way the cartels are doing it just won't work. They don't have the power and control over the population and the forms of communication that would allow them to perfectly repress information. Not even the US Government has that kind of power, let aLone a group of about 2 thousand cartel men in blue jeans and sneakers and sombreros. They can kill a journalist here or there but they will never silence the opposition like they want to.

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    3. 5:47 she's alive in the hearts of people. while those who killed her are dead inside and will be forgotten soon after their own deaths.

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    4. We'll all be dead someday. She lived her life with honor and integrity.

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    5. Really.... i doubt that that this broad will be remebered by anyone but her collegues tomorrow. The people who killed will go on living the mexican dream!!.

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    6. @ 5:47...very well said.
      _Canadian girl

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    7. 5:47...You will be joining her before you know it..Do you REALLY think it matters how she went or do you think it was before her time? No..You go when it's your time and at least she died for what she believed in. Trust me,You too will die along with everyone else..If she stands for and speak up for good and she died today and you keep your mouth shut and live a extra day,week,month or year was it REALLY worth it?

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    8. @ 5:17, What is the Mexican dream ?

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    9. 7:12 sleeping in the sun until noon and afternoon without a worry in the world that is the mexican dream.

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    10. 9:41 very well said...my bad 5:37 error for crediting 5:47.

      _Canadian girl

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  2. If there ever existed a button that I could press on. That would make all the evils of the world disappear. Trust me I'd have effing blisters on my fingers from pressing on that damn button all the time. - Sol Prendido

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    Replies
    1. If puffery is an evil then you would be the first to disappear.

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  3. She had bigger balls than chapo

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    Replies
    1. Yeah chapo cries in his cell and his mom moved out

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    2. 3:24 Chapos mom got scared when they shot up her house

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    3. Chapos mother left for other reasons. Starting new tranquil life elsewhere and not deal with idiotic behavior. I would if had the means as her to do so. Money is not an issue with her.

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  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. 1:41 AM wrote: "That would make all the evils of the world disappear."

    Then 10 % of Mexico population would be gone to hell.

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    Replies
    1. Don't count the USA out.

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    2. Hi dd. From a foreign view. It will ne mich More then 13mio. Max double or tripple it

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    3. Yeah it's more

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    4. Given the time and circumstances, corruption would flow out of us just like the goodness would flow the next day. It is all a matter of vantage point.

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    5. Wealth and power corrupt most. Look at the history of man kind. I seriously doubt you are the exception. Its easy to point to finger when youre on the outside looking in.

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  6. Read this article about a week ago. Unfortunately we all know too well that journalists are not safe in Mexico. Where assassinations of journalists are a norm for a country embedded with criminals and will hinder any investigative reporting by any means.
    Don't expect Mexican government to protect these brave journalists . It's not in their interests to do otherwise. Since they are the ones being exposed!
    Condolences.

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    Replies
    1. @5:31AM Good comment but I don't know how your read the article a week ago. Today is Monday,March 27, and she was just killed on Thursday March 23.

      Delete
    2. About a week ago . Give or take? But you are correct on the date. Do a lot of reading when things simmer down. Soo many subscriptions of news organizations I read daily. Hard to keep track.
      Nevertheless thank you for keeping us all informed BB.

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    3. He meant he knew it was gonna happen a week before you wrote it.

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    4. DD, they're time traveling.

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    5. dd in his defense he did say "ABOUT" A WEEK AGO...and thurs to Monday is 5 days if he read the story the day of incident..just saying..

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    6. Thank you 9.43 for correcting some individuals who rather prefer to ridicule one than post constructive comments pertaining issues at hand. Thank again.

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  7. Why are journalist targeted?

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    Replies
    1. For reporting corruption and crimes.
      Many of these investigated individuals would and have gone to extreme measures to protect themselves and associates from prosecution.
      However let's be frank here, as if prosecution really existed in Mexico for any of such.
      Very slim to none!

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    2. 5:37 journalists are too nosy for their own good...
      --do not think for a minute that being "anonymous big noses" keeps anybody safe, the US spooks are looking for a GUCCIFER 2 hacker and trying to catch up with the devil's ass. Probably in Russia, in mexico it is easier, La Jornada may know but keeps silent and safe, "Plata o Plomo"

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    3. Cartels don't want the public knowing about certain crimes they commit and they want to make sure their cartel is looked on favorably in the publics eye while rival cartels are not. Controlling the media is a powerful weapon to have.

      A journalists job is to report the truth and dig up stories on who is doing what so they are targeted if they don't back off after receiving threats. Sad so many journalists get killed for simply doing their job.

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    4. They are considered snitches the more a journalist's reports on a certain cartel or case the more pressure on the law to do something about it.keep it out of the news and there's nothing going on. Saludos raza.

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    5. Cause they post names and the wrong doings of cartels,not too smart right? It's like me crossing the street with a shit load of cars passing thru

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    6. @2:52PM Chema, you are partly right, they are targeted because "they post names and the wrong doings of cartels". Without them doing what they do you nor the rest of the world would know the tragedies happening in Mexico. Journalism is the weapon they have to fight the corruption and violence. A noble cause.

      But you crossing the street with "a shit load of cars passing thru" would be stupid and not very smart (not comparable to the bravery shown by journalist)- UNLESS you were crossing the street to rescue a little 3 year old girl from being killed in the traffic. Then your crossing the street with a shit load of cars passing would be a brave, not stupid, noble act that would be comparable to what the journalist do - doing a brave thing for a important purpose of cause.

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    7. Damn dd...way to set him straight.

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    8. DD that was so perfect an explanation.No 1 could have done that better and your integrity shines through.

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    9. In the crime world is considered snitching...

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    10. Looks like Paquita la del Barrio.
      She should have disguised herself like a reporter of socials and do the real job in secret, but mexican intelligence will always find you, the mexican army has a special school of communications and the graduates know where to cash in.
      --Well, at least she did not get poisoned as opposition reporters and politicians get in russia, but it may be coming to a "theater" nearby...too many nosy reporters on the US.

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  8. Anyone else notice that the journalist killed were currently in the most violent areas? ? Who would benefit from the confusion and lack of press

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    Replies
    1. These journalists undertook a major moral stance and livelihood to report truth in a state where one knows its suicide. Where many other news agencies are cautious about what to report in other states for fear of retribution from government or agreements by unknown sources.
      Political corruption and criminal association in Mexico is so embedded that almost every ententy of its institution is plagued.
      Journalists are well aware of the consequences and applaud their bravery.

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    2. 5:47 Politicians and businessmen

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    3. A newspaper could protect its reporters in dangerous environments, but nooo, they'd rather have a martyr, I wonder if La Jornada, has insurance policies on its reporters, but it is their own dirty little secret scam, Why leave reporters on their own in a war zone on the enemy side?
      After miut got murdered in tamaulipas they should know better, and she was anonymous miut...they got sicario hackers.

      Delete
    4. Can you imagine the costs of insurance for journalists especially in a country where assassinations are frequent? Where government are known to be in collaboration with criminals.
      Not many businesses pay such high premiums now in the work place. What makes you think they would undertake such a financial burden to do otherwise? Profits are key factors for most businesses.

      Delete
  9. God bless the brave reporters of Mexico and the people of Mexico. I pray for you.

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  10. R.I.P. Killed for doing her job.

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  11. This is off topic but has there been any news, proof that Kiko Trevino is in US custody.

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  12. Lucky for Mexicans that Mexican politicians will Make Mexico Great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do not know how to interpret this comment?
      Are you insinuating great changes due to political factors or its citizens?
      Because if it's the political aspect nothing will change. Nevertheless its citizens who are not politically aligned to parties that can make a difference.
      Remember the masses outnumber the political foes!

      Delete
    2. 9:36 Like casinos "one armed bandits", vote counting machines can throw wins to "the house" and kitty treats to the losers.

      Delete
  13. DD: "Miroslava’s reports on past local elections detailed the imposition by organized crime of candidates for municipal councils on the lists of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and National Action Party (PAN) specifically in mountain municipalities and the routes of drug runners. In August of 2016, she reported in detail the brutality with which the drug traffickers ran hundreds of families out of their homes in the mountains of Chihuahua.

    The murderer left a card at the scene of the crime which stated he had killed Miroslava because she talked too much. Immediately after her piece on the violent expulsions in the mountains, she received an anonymous threat, which the authorities largely ignored."

    http://mexicovoices.blogspot.mx/2017/03/mexico-press-freedom-murder-of-la.html

    Search for sinembargo and this: "Miroslava puso al descubierto la vinculación que algunos candidatos de los comicios de 2016 tenían con el narcotráfico, entre ellos, la suegra de Carlos Arturo Quintana, "El 80," integrante de La Línea, el brazo armado del cártel de Juárez."

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    Replies
    1. Brave journalists !
      If such justice exists in Mexico, all persons will be held accountable. Her work exposing the practice of expulsion of families from their homes should not be in vain. But a cry and a voice to World Leaders of the injustices many humble citizens of Mexico face.
      And with the grace of God someone will care to do what's right for a change.

      Delete
  14. RIP sister! Should have killed somebody else. Now we have another child without a mother.

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  15. Ain't Chivis retired???

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    Replies
    1. @2:05 As Chivis has said she "lurks in the background and steps out into the light when she is needed".

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    2. 2:05 Chivis does not have permission to retire,
      we'll just retread her.

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    3. Hilarious and witty 5:45, and thank you DD....seems some folks are a little slow to learn, or could it possibly be trolling????!!!!!! God forbid!!

      People should be extremely grateful for the work you, otis, valor and wachito have put in in the past months.

      Delete
  16. R.I.P She was really brave and will be known for

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  17. Proceso is a great magazine and their journalist are the real deal. R.i.p

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  18. Z-40 got transfer to juarez

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    Replies
    1. Having z40 chorrienta ready for shipping?
      It's like, he needs to report and surrender all his knowledge before he is retired for good to the US.

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    2. Execution is by all means justified here for his doings.

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  19. The governor of the state recently announced that the government has lacked on policing enforcement issues. Citing that the organized crime in the state is prevailing here. Furthermore requests for government assistance to curtail organized crime have been neglected. Despite video footage of a male suspect no one is in custody. Moreover a note was retrieved where the deceased lay reading "For being a loud mouth'.
    Journalists like certain politicians are always at risk from what has become a country where corruption and violence is a common occurrence.

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  20. R.I.P. Thanks for Sincerity.

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  21. totally unrelated.

    Orlando Sanchez Cristancho, one of Amado Carrillo's main Colombian supplier was arrested 2 days ago in Colombia. He was a leader of the Norte del Valle cartel.

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  22. There is no justice in Mexico.

    How many cases are resolved?

    From those resolved, how many obtained a sentence?

    From those sentenced, how many went to jail?

    From those that went sent to jail, how many are still in jail?

    From those that are still in jail, how many have privileges?

    From those having privileges, how many continue committing crimes from inside or leave the prison to commit crimes by request?

    The senate claims the dead need justice but, the sent does not allocate funding for police, crime scene investigation, district attorney, to police the state attorneys and fight corruption.

    the senate is the one with most corruption and should be relieved from power

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You make an accurate analysis of what is or if any justice is actually fitted .
      Where it's penal system is a joke and a mockery to its citizens.
      Where evidence has proven that organized crime continues to operate without interference while incarcerated.
      Moreover where sentencing guidelines are weak due to corruption within government officials.
      Rehabilitation process has no merit here where education, job skills lack funding .
      Where infrastructures are outdated and overpopulated.
      Where money and gangs prevail for privileges and control.
      And so true that the ones who definitely deserve a place in such are government officials. For their incompetence and greed .
      However resolutions will remain the same until such government foes are removed.
      Change can only begin by starting anew.
      That being said. Million dollar question is what measures are being implemented to make such changes?
      Unity is by far unfavorable and unrealistic here. Correct me if wrong: but the strongest movement I have seen to date of it citizens was that of the gas price surge combined with Donald Trumps political stance on Mexico.
      The masses outnumber those who hinder political progress and change for its country.
      It's the lack of unity within its citizens which has impeded its own progress .
      Many will differ my opinion which is debatable here. However,This is a form where views and opinions are taken into consideration.
      Love to see Mexico rich in spirits and healthy in heart once again.
      Or was it ever?

      Delete
  23. @ Genaro, A sad but well stated view, all of it truth. Corruption is very contagious.

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  24. Off topic. Curious as to the BB logo where certain individuals report or comment.
    Reason asking is that some past postings I have commented on had that logo while others don't.
    Is there some explanation as to such or to why it's so? And the meaning behind all of this.
    I came about to this website from a colleague of mine. A dear friend whose family reside in Mexico. A prominent family who's livilyhood are uncertain due to the violence in their rural community.
    Nevertheless we love to educate ourselves with politics and news from both sides of the country.
    Reading and writing was a joy back in college in my past days. Like the article posted here on BB and decided to place my input to this forum of such with the the possibilities of having a stimulating conversation among readers for solutions and ideology.
    Thank you for bringing a peace of mind to a somewhat crazy time we are all experiencing.
    Continue to see me comment from time to time.
    And bare with me if ones ideas does not correspond with other viewers.
    The world needs a strong community feed for solutions and awareness.
    Once again thanks for keeping us postedBB

    ReplyDelete
  25. Z40 is about to go the way of El Chapo; he was recently transferred to the federal prison in Juarez.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Z40 NO te precludes. All va estar tu amigo el chapo an ADX. Para que hagan un carro juntos

    ReplyDelete
  27. Another journalist was just shot this morning in Veracruz. In critical condition in a hospital:

    http://www.milenio.com/policia/periodista-armando_arrieta_granados-ataque-poza_rica-veracruz-milenio-noticias_0_928707175.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ricardo Monlui Cabrera, murdered "4 days ago" too
      --Warning, when the PGR is investigating, it is a sign that "ya valió madre"

      Delete
  28. Another journalist shot, injured this morning- Veracruz (Poza Rica)

    ReplyDelete

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