Dalia Villatoro, a journalist from the Frailesca region of Chiapas, reported being the victim of death threats, allegedly linked to an organized crime group, which left a narco-message at her home on Wednesday, September 4.
A poster with intimidating messages appeared in front of the journalist’s home, pointing to her for supposed publications on Facebook pages, such as Notifraylesca and Villaflores Al Momento, “which appeared anonymously and with which I have no relationship.”
In the narco-message, the attackers warned Dalia Villatoro that they would “beat her up” for her alleged connection to said platforms. In addition, the threat caused alarm, especially after the recent attack against journalist Ariel Grajales Rodas, who was seriously injured in his home by armed men.
⇒ For this reason, on the afternoon of Monday, September 9, the journalist published a letter in which she rejects these accusations, clarifying that all her journalistic work is done under her name in official media.
Given the seriousness of the events, Dalia Villatoro filed a formal complaint with the Attorney General of Chiapas, demanding a thorough investigation into the anonymous pages that operate in the region, and that appear and disappear according to unknown interests.
The journalist requested protective measures for herself and her family, because the narco-message is signed with the initials of a drug cartel, although she did not specify which of the two groups fighting for territory in Chiapas. Dalia has a minor son.
In addition, the journalist urged authorities at all levels of government to guarantee the right to the free exercise of journalism and the protection of the lives of journalists, who are frequently forced to self-censor for fear of reprisals.
Dalia Villatoro also recalled that in recent months she has had to reduce her journalistic activity due to the increase in violence and the lack of security guarantees. In addition, to protect herself, she had to leave her home and abandon the municipality of Villaflores.
“In the last few hours, the mayor (Mariano Rosales Zuarth) recommended that I accept the security offered to me by the justice authorities because it is beyond their power to guarantee me security conditions if I return home,” she said.
Source: almomento
