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Mexican drug trade reporter Javier Valdez killed Mexican drug trade reporter Javier Valdez killed
(about 4 hours later)
Mexican journalist Javier Valdez, known for his award-winning coverage of the drug trade, has been shot dead.Mexican journalist Javier Valdez, known for his award-winning coverage of the drug trade, has been shot dead.
Unidentified attackers opened fire on him on Monday in Culiacan city in the north-western state of Sinaloa, where he lived and worked.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 from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in 2011 for his work.Valdez, 50, received the International Press Freedom Award from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in 2011 for his work.
He is one of several journalists who have been killed in Mexico this year.He is one of several journalists who have been killed in Mexico this year.
Read more: Murdered journalist on risks of reporting in Mexico
Valdez was shot dead on the street near the premises of the Mexican news weekly he had founded, Ríodoce.Valdez was shot dead on the street near the premises of the Mexican news weekly he had founded, Ríodoce.
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 in 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 Peña Nieto condemned the killing, calling it an "outrageous crime", and added that his government remained committed to press freedom.Mexico's President Enrique Peña 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. Sinaloa state attorney general Juan Jose Rios said the death was being investigated, and Valdez's family and colleagues would be protected.
"Above all else we are interested in Javier's family," he told reporters."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". The CPJ's Mexico representative, Jan-Albert Hootsen, said Valdez's killing was "an attack on journalism, all journalists throughout Mexico".
Valdez and his publication had been threatened before. Mexican news outlets Animal Político and Tercera Vía are going on strike on Wednesday to protest against the murder, and the ongoing risks to reporters.
Tercera Vía said on its website [in Spanish]: "The only thing we are going to cover and publish are the activities related to the murder of Javier Valdez."
Last week, Mexico appointed a new prosecutor to investigate crimes against freedom of expression - including the killing of journalists.
Valdez and his publication had been threatened long before his shooting.
He told the freedom of expression organisation Index on Censorship last month that a hand grenade had been thrown into Ríodoce's offices in 2009, "although it only caused material damages".He told the freedom of expression organisation Index on Censorship last month that a hand grenade had been thrown into Ríodoce's offices in 2009, "although it only caused material damages".
"I've had phone calls telling me to stop investigating certain murders or drug bosses. I've had to suppress important information because they could have my family killed if I mention it."I've had phone calls telling me to stop investigating certain murders or drug bosses. I've had to suppress important information because they could have my family killed if I mention it.
"Sources of mine have been killed or disappeared… The government couldn't care less. They do nothing to protect you. There have been many cases and this keeps happening.""Sources of mine have been killed or disappeared… The government couldn't care less. They do nothing to protect you. There have been many cases and this keeps happening."
Speaking at a launch of his book last year, he said being a journalist "is like being on a blacklist" and that gangs "will decide what day they are going to kill you".Speaking at a launch of his book last year, he said being a journalist "is like being on a blacklist" and that gangs "will decide what day they are going to kill you".
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".
Like Valdez, Breach had reported on organised crime, drug-trafficking and corruption.Like Valdez, Breach had reported on organised crime, drug-trafficking and corruption.
Other Mexican journalists killed this year include freelancers Maximino Rodríguez and Cecilio Pineda Birto, according to the CPJ.Other Mexican journalists killed this year include freelancers Maximino Rodríguez and Cecilio Pineda Birto, according to the CPJ.
The CPJ says at least 40 journalists have been killed in Mexico since 1992.The CPJ says at least 40 journalists have been killed in Mexico since 1992.