2012 Michoacán murder of photographers
 |
| 2012 Michoacán murder of photographers | |
|---|---|
| Date | 20 August 2012 |
| Deaths | 2 |
| Victim | Arturo Barajas López & José Antonio Aguilar Mota |
The 2012 Michoacán murder of photographers is about the Mexican freelance photographers Arturo Barajas López and José Antonio Aguilar López. The two photographers were kidnapped and murdered in August in Michoacan, Mexico. These photojournalists worked in an area that is known for narcotics trafficking and could have been targeted because of their employment as freelance journalists who sometimes photographed accident scenes for the local newspaper which also publishes official government news. [1]
They were killed in Ecuandureo, Michoacán in August 2012:
Personal
Arturo Barajas López, born 1966?, died August 2012. He was a freelance photographer in the western state of Michoacan, Mexico. He also photographed traffic accidents for the Diario de Zamora newspaper. He was kidnapped and murdered sometime between August 16-19 2012 during a weekend when several others died in drug related violence.
José Antonio Aguilar López, born 1986?, died August 2012. He was a freelance photographer in the western state of Michoacan, Mexico. He was also kidnapped and murdered sometime between August 16-19 2012.
Career
Barajas and Lopez were both freelance photographers who were often seen offering their services in the plaza in the town of Zamora and also to the Zamora Valley Press Association. Barajas had also photographed accident scenes and drug-related crimes for the Diaro de Zamora newspaper. They were not, however, members of the press organization.[1][4]
Death
The two photographers were last seen on 16 August 2012 while on their way to photograph a social event. Their bodies were found in the truck of an abandoned car on Sunday 19 August 2012 in the rural area of Tinaja de Vargas outside the city of Ecuandureo. This is about 90 miles from the town of Morelia, the capital of Michoacan. Their bodies showed signs of torture and they were killed by a gunshot wound to the neck.[5]
Related crimes
The murders are believed to have been carried out by members of Los Caballeros Templarios Cartel, which since 2011 has controlled drug trafficking in the state of Michoacan. Fifteen other people died in drug related violence during the same weekend in Michoacan. No progress has been made in the investigation.[3]
Impact
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography, there have been 27,199 homicides recorded in Mexico during 2011, making it the deadliest year since President Felipe Calderon was elected in 2006. During his presidency, there have been 72 journalists murdered, 13 journalists reported missing, and 40 assaults on journalists.[3]
Reactions
The Mexican federal government sent 1000 additional troops to Michoacan to give extra support to local police forces in their fight against the drug cartels operating in that area.[3]
References
- ^ a b c "Bodies of 2 Photographers Found Inside Car Trunk in Mexico | Fox News Latino". Latino.foxnews.com. 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
- ^ "Dos reporteros gráficos son asesinados en Michoacán « Últimas Noticias". Blogs.cnnmexico.com. 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
- ^ a b c d "Encuentran Los Cadaveres De Dos Fotografos En El Oeste De Mexico - Internacional" (in Template:Es icon). El Universal. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ a b "Aparecen muertos y con marcas de tortura dos periodistas de Michoacán; van 74 en el sexenio de FCH | Sin Embargo". Sinembargo.mx. 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
- ^ a b "Hallan muertos a dos fotógrafos en Michoacán - La Prensa - Nacional". Laprensa.mx. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
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Category:2011 deaths
Category:Mexican photographers
Category:Murdered journalists
Category:Journalists killed in Mexico
Category:Human rights in Mexico
Category:Mexican Drug War
Category:Victims of the Mexican Drug War