Oaxaca Governor Refuses to Resign After Journalist's Murder

Oaxaca Governor Salomón Jara Cruz asserted on Friday that he will not request a leave of absence or step down from his position following the murder of journalist Francisco Alejandro Leyva Aguilar. Leyva Aguilar, who directed the Oaxacan Radio and Television Corporation (CORTV), had publicly accused state authorities of harassment prior to his death.

In a press conference, Governor Jara Cruz stated that the Federal Attorney General's Office (FGR) will be responsible for determining any potential involvement of his government in the journalist's homicide. "I hope the Federal Attorney General's Office finally determines what happened. I await the verdict and a serious, responsible investigation," Jara Cruz said regarding the killing that occurred on July 22.

“

I hope the Federal Attorney General's Office finally determines what happened. I await the verdict and a serious, responsible investigation.

Leyva Aguilar had previously named the state government in his online column as responsible for any aggression against him. Governor Jara Cruz affirmed his commitment to cooperate fully with the authorities and attend any summons for testimony. "If the Federal Attorney General's Office invites us to appear, we will gladly do so," the governor stated, approximately 48 hours after the journalist's murder. No arrests have been made in connection with the case thus far.

Local media reported that Leyva Aguilar was attacked by armed individuals at a food stall in the municipality of San Pablo Etla, though this has not been officially confirmed. This incident marks the seventh journalist murdered in Mexico this year, according to civil society organizations like Reporters Without Borders (RSF). RSF has identified Mexico as the deadliest country for journalists in the Americas for at least the past 15 years.

“

If the Federal Attorney General's Office invites us to appear, we will gladly do so.