Mexico: Journalist found beheaded in Veracruz state September 9

Event

Mexican journalist Julio Valdivia was found beheaded in the remote Tezonapa municipality (Veracruz state) on Wednesday, September 9. The exact details surrounding the incident remain unclear; however, reports suggest that Valdivia was tortured prior to death. The identity of those responsible has not yet been confirmed. 

Further violent attacks are likely in Veracruz state over the near term.

Context

Valdivia worked for the El Mundo newspaper, specializing in journalism that focuses on violence and crime. Valdivia is among several journalists to have been killed in Mexico this year. In 2019, roughly half of all murders of journalists worldwide occurred in Mexico, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. 

Advice

Those engaged in journalistic activities in Mexico are advised to maintain a heightened sense of caution and situational awareness at all times, and report any suspicious items or activity to authorities immediately.

Due to extreme levels of violence linked to the presence of various armed groups, some Western governments advise against travel to various parts of Mexico: notably, the states of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, Sinaloa, and Tamaulipas, as well as the northeastern border with the US.