Journalist gunned down in Chiapas on September 21; ninth journalist murdered in 2018

Reports indicate that on September 21 Mario Gómez, a local journalist in Yajalón, Chiapas, was gunned down by two men as he was leaving his house. Goméz was fatally wounded and died hours later in a nearby hospital. The assailants reportedly fled the scene and were not caught by security services. Gómez had previously reported death threats he allegedly received to judicial authorities. He was locally known for investigating a high-profile corruption case in 2016. Gómez is the ninth journalist to be murdered in 2018. Twelve journalists were assassinated in Mexico in 2017.

This incident continues to underscore the risk posed to influential journalists and regional opinion leaders in Mexico. Owing to the growing record of violence in the country, Mexico is ranked as the worst place for journalists after Syria. Taking into account the inefficacy of security services amid the worsening security situation, police are unlikely to apprehend those responsible for the homicide. Furthermore, although the motives behind Gómez assassination are presently unclear, the victim was likely targeted due to his professional activity.