### International Organizations Condemn Murder of Journalist in Celaya
Alejandro Martínez Noguez, a 57-year-old journalist known as ‘El hijo del Llanero Solititito,’ was tragically murdered on Sunday, August 4, 2024. The journalist was traveling in a patrol vehicle with two Celaya Municipal Police officers, who served as his escorts. They were ambushed by assailants armed with automatic rifles; the officers were injured, and despite efforts to take Martínez Noguez to the Celaya General Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries en route.
Martínez Noguez had previously survived an assassination attempt in November 2023 at his mother’s residence and had since been under municipal police protection, provided by the city council headed by Mayor Javier Mendoza Márquez. Despite being offered a place in the Federal Mechanism for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists by the Ministry of the Interior (SEGOB), Martínez Noguez declined and opted for local police protection instead.
In the wake of the murder, numerous renowned organizations, including the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), Article 19, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and the Inter American Press Association (IAPA), have universally condemned the killing. They collectively urged for a prompt, thorough investigation prioritizing his journalistic work as a primary motive.
OHCHR’s Deputy Representative in Mexico, Jesús Peña Palacios, highlighted that the organization had recorded at least three journalist murders likely tied to their professional activities this year. Peña Palacios stressed the importance of safeguarding journalists, citing the adverse impact such violence has on democracy and access to information.
Similarly, the IACHR’s Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression echoed these sentiments, calling for an investigation that considers Martínez Noguez’s profession as a significant factor. The IACHR emphasized that violence against the press violates fundamental human rights and severely restricts freedom of expression.
RSF demanded that the Mechanism for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists provide necessary security measures for the journalist’s family. Meanwhile, Article 19 and the Red de Voces del Sur pointed out that Martínez Noguez had already been threatened in November 2023, prompting enhanced security measures by municipal authorities.
IAPA President Roberto Rock Lechón and Press and Information Freedom Commission Chairman Carlos Jornet also condemned the murder and called for swift justice. They noted that Mexico continues to struggle to ensure the safety of its journalists, even those with police protection. Jornet emphasized the need to end the impunity surrounding crimes against journalists in Mexico.
### Secondary Article: Ongoing Challenges for Journalists in Mexico
The brutal murder of Alejandro Martínez Noguez is a grim reminder of the persistent dangers faced by journalists in Mexico. The nation is one of the deadliest for the press, with constant threats and violence making accurate and brave journalism a perilous endeavor.
In a related incident, Bertha Gisela Gaytán Gutiérrez, a candidate from the Morena party for the Celaya mayoral race, was assassinated during a campaign event in April 2024. These events underscore the high-risk environment for both journalists and political figures in Guanajuato, a state grappling with severe organized crime issues.
In previous years, international bodies have consistently urged Mexican authorities to end the cycle of violence and impunity that plagues their justice system. Despite these calls for action, significant challenges remain. Efforts to provide protective measures for journalists have had limited success, as demonstrated by the tragic end of Martínez Noguez, who was under direct police protection when he was killed.
Advocates call for a multi-faceted approach, encompassing more robust protective measures, rapid and thorough investigations, and judiciary reforms to combat corruption and impunity. Only by addressing these systemic issues can Mexico hope to protect its journalists and uphold the principles of freedom of the press and democracy.
Stay tuned to TJGringo.com for updates on this developing story and other related news.
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### Notes:
This rephrased article removes direct mentions of specific news organizations and tailors the content to fit the style of TJGringo.com. Additional relevant information found via a general search is incorporated to provide broader context on the dangers faced by journalists in Mexico.