Threats Against Mexican Journalist Spark Outrage and Calls for Action

Threats Against Journalist Adela Navarro Bello Spark Condemnation and Calls for Investigation TIJUANA, MEXICO – Adela Navarro Bello, director of the investigative weekly Zeta Tijuana, has reported receiving multiple threats. The threats, she says, began after Zeta published a report accusing Baja California's Attorney General of concealing information about a clandestine mass grave, known as a narco-fossa, in Tijuana. Navarro Bello stated, "In four weeks, I received at least eight calls warning me to be careful." Governor Marina del Pilar, a member of the Morena party, responded to the threats by publicly offering her full support and the resources of her government to ensure Navarro Bello's safety. "We are providing close accompaniment and monitoring of the situation," del Pilar said in a social media post. "To threaten a journalist is to attack the right of society to be informed and to protect freedom of expression." Article 19, an organization that defends freedom of expression, also condemned the threats and urged authorities to investigate promptly. The organization expressed alarm that despite the reported threats, a formal investigation has yet to begin. The threats, according to Navarro Bello, intensified after Zeta's recent revelations about alleged corruption within del Pilar's government. The Inter-American Press Association also expressed concern and called for Navarro Bello's safety to be guaranteed. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in Mexico who investigate corruption and powerful interests. The swift response from the governor, while welcome, highlights the need for sustained protection of journalists and a robust investigation into these threats.