Telésforo Santiago Enríquez (died May 2, 2019) was a Mexican radio journalist and professor of Indigenous education in Oaxaca who was ambushed and shot dead.
Telésforo Santiago Enríquez | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Died | May 2, 2019 Oaxaca, Mexico |
| Cause of death | Ballistic trauma |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Known for | Victim of unsolved murder |
Career
editTelésforo Santiago Enriquez worked as a school teacher and as a professor of Indigenous education.[1][2]
He founded the community Indigenous radio station ″El Cafetal″ in the southern Indigenous region of Mexico, in the Municipality of San Agustín Loxicha, Oaxaca state.[2][3] He sought to preserve indigenous traditions and the Zapotec language and to protect the rights of indigenous people through the radio.[4] According to a statement by Mexico's National Human Rights Commission after his death, he criticized local government for diverting public funds.[4]
Murder
editOn May 2, 2019, the eve of World Press Freedom Day, he was fatally shot in the mouth and heart. His dead body was found in a vehicle that afternoon. Authorities reported that he had been driving in the neighborhood of Ampliación Tres Cruces when he was ambushed and killed.[1][2][3][4] He had been threatened in February 2019[4] and had recently received an anonymous threat on his live call-in talk show when he was criticizing local government.[5]
Investigation and reactions
editThe authorities of Costa Region started an investigation into the murder.[1] Jesús Ramírez Cuevas, a spokesman for the President of Mexico, said the Mexican government was committed to protect journalism in Mexico and would make every effort to find the murderers.[5][6]
In response to the shooting, international journalist organisations expressed outrage at the situation in Mexico, where journalists are often killed. Reporters Without Borders issued a statement on 3 May, emphasizing his work for human rights;[4] Emmanuel Colombie, head of the organization's Latin America branch, said: ″This latest murder is a reminder of how dangerous it is to practice journalism in Mexico″.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Manzo, Diana (May 2, 2019). "Asesinan en Oaxaca a director de radio comunitaria El Cafetal". La Jornada (in Spanish). Retrieved May 14, 2019.
- ^ a b c Jiménez García, Alejandra (May 24, 2019). "Telésforo Santiago Enríquez". PEN International San Miguel Center. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
- ^ a b "Asesinan a periodista Telésforo Santiago Enríquez en México". CNN Español. May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Indigenous rights activist killed in southern Mexico". AP. May 4, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Journalist shot dead in Mexico on eve of World Press Freedom Day". Al Jazeera. May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
- ^ O'Grady, Siobhán (May 3, 2019). "On the eve of World Press Freedom Day, yet another journalist is killed in Mexico". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 3, 2019.