Oaxaca journalists' associations condemn murder of Alejandro Leyva, demand justice

Journalists' associations in Oaxaca have strongly condemned the assassination of Francisco Alejandro Leyva Aguilar, who was killed this morning in the La Esmeralda neighborhood of San Pablo Etla. The collectives gathered in front of the government palace to demand a prompt investigation by the State Attorney General's Office, calling for the apprehension and punishment of those responsible, both materially and intellectually.

Max Núñez, from the collective Periodistas en Riesgo Oaxaca (Journalists at Risk Oaxaca), described the crime as a new and serious aggression against freedom of expression and the practice of journalism in the state. He noted that Leyva Aguilar was a well-known communicator recognized for his critical work and commitment to public interest information. His murder occurs within a context of persistent violence that makes Oaxaca and Mexico among the riskiest places for those who practice journalism.

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Alejandro Leyva Aguilar was a widely known communicator for his critical work and his commitment to public interest information. His homicide occurs in a context of violence that continues to place Oaxaca and the country among the highest-risk scenarios for those who practice journalism.

Adrián Ortiz, a member of the Steering Committee of the Oaxaca Journalists Association (APO), expressed deep concern over the prevailing climate of impunity in the state and the country regarding crimes against journalists. He pointed out that years after other cases, investigations into crimes against Oaxacan journalists have yielded no results. The APO demands that this crime not be added to the list of unsolved cases and that investigators do not pursue lines of inquiry unrelated to Leyva Aguilar's journalistic work, insisting on an autonomous investigation adhering to international standards.

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We reject that this crime be added to impunity and that attempts be made to mask it with lines of investigation unrelated to his journalistic activity, which is why we demand that the investigation be carried out autonomously and according to international standards.

Meanwhile, Humberto Cruz, leader of the National Forum of Journalists and Communicators, Oaxaca Chapter, stated that the murder of a journalist not only takes a life but also aims to silence a critical voice and intimidate the entire profession. He warned that when violence attempts to replace words, society's right to know the truth is violated. Cruz called on authorities at all three levels of government to strengthen protection measures for journalists and decisively combat the impunity that has accompanied numerous attacks against the press in Mexico.

The National Union of Media Workers based in Oaxaca issued a statement asserting that Leyva Aguilar's murder silences a fundamental voice in the local public debate and represents another blow to freedom of expression nationwide. The union highlighted that this homicide once again raises alarms about the risks faced by journalists in Mexico.

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When violence attempts to substitute words, society's right to know the truth is violated. Therefore, we call on the authorities of the three levels of government to strengthen protection measures for journalists and decisively combat the impunity that has accompanied numerous attacks against the press in Mexico.