Despite being a beneficiary of the Federal Protection Mechanism, violence against journalists in the region remains alarming, with 31 murders and four disappearances since 2005.
Journalist Alan García Zúñiga was kidnapped by a group of armed men in Poza Rica, Veracruz, a region notorious for its high danger level for journalists.
García Zúñiga has a history of collaboration with the newspapers Noreste and El Dictamen de Veracruz, where he covered various topics until he decided to abandon active reporting. Currently, he manages a Facebook page dedicated to sharing official information from the police at the municipal and state levels.
Although his activity in traditional media has decreased, García Zúñiga remains linked to the union and is still a beneficiary of the Federal Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists. In 2017, he was the victim of a firearm attack, which led to his incorporation into the Federal Protection Mechanism. This program, run by the Ministry of the Interior, aims to safeguard the integrity of journalists and human rights defenders at risk.
The Kidnapping Incident
García Zúñiga’s kidnapping, carried out by armed men in a vehicle, prompted an immediate response from local authorities, who launched a security operation in Poza Rica. Despite this, the government of Veracruz has not issued any official statement on the incident.
The State Commission for the Attention and Protection of Journalists (CEAPP) stated that it is coordinating with federal and state authorities and is in communication with García Zúñiga’s family to assist in necessary actions. However, the organization referred to him as a “beneficiary” rather than a journalist.
Veracruz is considered one of the most dangerous states in the world for practicing journalism. From 2005 to 2024, 31 murders and four disappearances of journalists have been recorded in the state, according to the CEAPP. This region continues to witness increasing violence against communicators, in a context where impunity prevails.
Source: Milenio