EU Media: Drug Cartel Killed Mexican Journalist, Four Police Officers Arrested

EU media have given visible attention to the murder of Mexican journalist Roxana Guzman, who was kidnapped and killed by members of a drug clan with the support of four police officers, who were arrested after a video of the abduction appeared on social networks.

Spanish and other media in particular note that the Mexican state is waging a tough battle with drug manufacturing and trafficking clans, due to the fact that organized crime has accomplices within parts of the police and other government structures.

The French daily „Le Monde“ reports that so far, since 1994, 150 journalists have been killed in Mexico who, like Roxana Guzman, investigated and wrote about the collusion between the police and parts of the judiciary with drug cartels.

Journalist Guzman, from a town near the port of Veracruz, continued her more than courageous work even though members of a drug cartel killed her husband, also a journalist, in 2017.

The British portal BBC reports that Mexican authorities have confirmed that the body of the murdered journalist Guzman was found, „who was terrifyingly violently abducted from her home, which was recorded on a video circulating on social networks.“

The public prosecutor of the state of Veracruz announced, according to the BBC, that eight people have been arrested on suspicion of participating in the abduction, and the abduction video shows armed, masked commandos breaking down the door of the house and violently, in the presence of her two children, taking away the journalist who was later killed.

Four police officers were also arrested for participating in the abduction, who, according to the prosecutor’s statement, „provided logistical support, resources, and food“ to the organized crime gang.

The Spanish daily El Pais, in a report from Mexico, points out that „the murder of journalist Guzman in Veracruz once again reveals the connection between organized crime and the state.“

It also cites information from the organization „Reporters Without Borders“ that in recent years, members of organized crime have killed a terrifying number of journalists „especially because they wrote about corruption, crime, and violations of environmental protection regulations.“

„El Pais“ adds that regional governor Rocio Nahle has not yet made any statement after the discovery of the abduction and murder of journalist Guzman, but said that „the attacks do not happen because of the informative, investigative work of journalists“ and added that there is „complete freedom of expression“ when it comes to her administration.