June 14,1999
Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León
President of Mexico
Los Pinos
Mexico City, MEXICO
Your Excellency,
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is writing to express its growing concern for the safety of Jesús Barraza, editor of the weekly magazine Pulso in San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora.
As we stated in the letter sent to you on May 13, 1999, Barraza was threatened after publishing stories on drug traffickers. After the letter was sent, a municipal police officer was assigned to provide security, but on June 5, Federal Judicial Police (PJF) angered by Barraza’s coverage, attacked his bodyguard who subsequently withdrew and refused to provide protection. We believe that Barraza may be in grave danger and request that your office personally insure his safety.
The attack against Barraza’s bodyguard, Raúl Ramos, by members of the PJF took place at 7:10 p.m. on June 5, 1999, outside Pulso’s offices. Barraza, who was leaving the building at the time of the attack, observed two men and a woman beat his bodyguard and confiscate his handgun and assault rifle. Ramos was able to escape and flee into the building where the PJF members tried to follow in an attempt to detain and possibly kidnap Barraza. When they heard over their radios that the municipal police were on their way to the scene they fled.
As the PJF police left, two Pulso reporters followed them. The reporters noted that the PJF’s vehicle bore California license plates, and later determined that the car they were driving, had been reported stolen. The attackers drove towards the PJF headquarters and eventually sought refuge within the building. The week before the attack, Barraza published a story alleging links between the PJF and local drug traffickers, and calling for an investigation.
Given the violence against journalists in this region–you will recall the 1997 murder of Barraza’s former editor Benjamín Flores González–we fear that Barraza’s life is in imminent danger. Members of the Federal Judicial Police are clearly responsible for the latest attack; the municipal police in San Luis Río Colorado have withdrawn protection; and the State Judicial Police (PJE) commander has refused to provide security.
As we stated in the letter sent on May 13, 1999, CPJ believes that under Article 6 of the Mexican Constitution the federal government is responsible for the protection of freedom of expression. We therefore call on your government to ensure the safety of Barraza and his family, to conduct a complete investigation into this latest attack against the journalist, and to see to it that the perpetrators are punished accordingly.
Sincerely,
Ann K. Cooper
Executive Director
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Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León
President of Mexico
Los Pinos
Mexico City, MEXICO