Journalist Alex Serna murdered in Guerrero; Artículo 19 demands investigation

The NGO Artículo 19 has strongly condemned the murder of environmental journalist and content creator Alex Serna. Serna was killed in Zihuatanejo de Azueta, Guerrero, on July 3. Artículo 19, an organization dedicated to defending access to information and freedom of expression, has demanded an "immediate" investigation by the Guerrero State Attorney General's Office and the Attorney General's Office of the Republic.

The NGO emphasized the "indispensable" need for a prompt, exhaustive, independent, and impartial investigation. It specifically called for Serna's journalistic work to be considered a primary line of inquiry. Additionally, Artículo 19 urged the Mechanism for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists to provide security measures for Serna's family to safeguard their integrity.

According to his missing person report, issued by the Guerrero State Search Commission, Serna was last seen on June 20 in Zihuatanejo de Azueta. Two weeks later, the Guerrero State Human Rights Commission announced his death, extending condolences to his family. The commission requested that authorities at all government levels act with due diligence in their investigations.

Through his YouTube channel and Instagram account, Serna covered environmental topics, including water management and the environmental impact of public works. In March, he reported receiving threats from Facebook users, such as "Better calm down" and "We already have your location and everything."