25 Journalists in Quintana Roo at Risk: Seeking Protection

Currently, 25 journalists and human rights defenders in Quintana Roo have applied for inclusion in a protection program, citing threats to their safety due to their professional activities. These threats are often linked to organized crime. Two years ago, Quintana Roo ranked ninth in the number of individuals under the protection of the Ministry of the Interior, with 65 communicators and human rights activists. Of these, 32 were women and 33 were men, with 40 being members of a media organization.

Government Secretary, María Cristina Torres Gómez, noted that two cases have been presented during the current state administration where consensus was reached among the parties involved. She added that some cases are six to seven years old, with protection still being provided to journalists, including alert buttons and security escorts.

Torres Gómez emphasized that everyone has the right to be informed and to freely exercise their profession. She assured that the state guarantees the mechanisms for this to be done correctly. When complaints are made, they are handled by the Undersecretary of Human Rights of the Government Secretary. If an act could be criminal and puts life or integrity at risk, the federal mechanism takes over.

The federal agency determines whether to apply protection measures and informs the state about the status of the journalist or human rights defender. Some individuals only require alert buttons, while others are included in the protection mechanism. Torres Gómez revealed that there are about four journalists who have security, all located in the northern zone.