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Mexican drug trade reporter Javier Valdez killed Mexican drug trade reporter Javier Valdez killed
(about 1 hour later)
Award-winning Mexican journalist Javier Valdez has been shot dead in the north-western state of Sinaloa. Mexican journalist Javier Valdez, known for his award-winning coverage of the drug trade, has been shot dead.
He was killed when unidentified attackers opened fire on his car in the city of Culiacan where Valdez was working, the RioDoce website reports. Unidentified attackers opened fire on him on Monday in Culiacan city in the north-western state of Sinaloa, where he lived and worked.
Valdez, 50, received the International Press Freedom Award by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in 2011 for his coverage of drug trafficking. Valdez, 50, received the International Press Freedom Award by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in 2011 for his work.
He is the fifth journalist to be killed in Mexico this year. He is one of several journalists who have been killed in Mexico this year.
Speaking at a launch of his book last year, he said: "Being a journalist is like being on a blacklist." Valdez was shot dead on the street near the premises of the Mexican news weekly he had founded, RioDoce.
"Even though you may have bullet-proofing and bodyguards, [the gangs] will decide what day they are going to kill you."
During his career spanning nearly three decades, Valdez wrote extensively on drug-trafficking and organised crime in Mexico, including the powerful Sinaloa drug cartel.During his career spanning nearly three decades, Valdez wrote extensively on drug-trafficking and organised crime in Mexico, including the powerful Sinaloa drug cartel.
The cartel is believed to be responsible for an estimated 25% of all illegal drugs that enter the US via Mexico.The cartel is believed to be responsible for an estimated 25% of all illegal drugs that enter the US via Mexico.
Its founder Joaquin Guzman, also known as "El Chapo" (Shorty), was captured is 2014 and is currently in jail awaiting trial in the US. Its founder Joaquin Guzman, also known as "El Chapo" (Shorty), was captured in 2014 and is currently in jail awaiting trial in the US.
Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto condemned the killing, calling it an "outrageous crime", and added that his government remained committed to press freedom.
Sinaloa state attorney general Juan Jose Rios said they were investigating the death, and would protect Valdez's family and colleagues.
"Above all else we are interested in Javier's family," he told reporters.
The CPJ's Mexico representative Jan-Albert Hootsen said Valdez's killing was "an attack on journalism, all journalists throughout Mexico".
In March, after journalist Miroslava Breach was shot dead, Valdez was quoted as saying "No to silence" and "Let them kill us all".In March, after journalist Miroslava Breach was shot dead, Valdez was quoted as saying "No to silence" and "Let them kill us all".
Speaking at a launch of his book last year, he said: "Being a journalist is like being on a blacklist."
"Even though you may have bullet-proofing and bodyguards, [the gangs] will decide what day they are going to kill you."
Like Valdez, Breach had reported on organised crime, drug-trafficking and corruption.Like Valdez, Breach had reported on organised crime, drug-trafficking and corruption.
At the time, the CPJ said 38 journalists have been killed in Mexico since 1992. Other Mexican journalists killed this year include freelancers Maximino Rodriguez and Cecilio Pineda Birto, according to the CPJ.
The CPJ says at least 40 journalists have been killed in Mexico since 1992.