TV Journalist Azucena Uresti Threatened by CJNG

Cartel’s Public Threat to Journalists

August 10, 2021 – A chilling video surfaced recently featuring men claiming to represent the Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG), issuing a direct threat to kill prominent Mexican TV journalist Azucena Uresti. The danger, which was made public via a menacing video, targeted Uresti for what the cartel perceives as biased reporting by Milenio Television, especially favoring local self-defense groups battling the CJNG.

In the video, a masked man, surrounded by armed figures, warns Uresti, stating, “I will make you eat your words even if they accuse me of femicide.” The threat comes amid ongoing violent confrontations between the CJNG and local vigilante groups in Michoacán, particularly around the town of Ecatepec.

Response and Implications for Journalist Safety

Uresti, a renowned figure in Mexican journalism known for her incisive coverage and role in presidential debates, has garnered significant support from journalist groups and the public, calling for immediate government protection. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador responded to the threat, assuring Uresti of the government’s support without specifying protective measures.

This incident highlights the broader crisis of journalist safety in Mexico, recognized as one of the world’s most dangerous countries for media professionals. The confrontations in Michoacán have escalated recently, with CJNG’s leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, being one of the most wanted men in Mexico and the U.S. The video also accuses the vigilante groups, often seen as local defenders, of being covert drug traffickers and extortionists, further complicating the region’s volatile security situation.

As the battles continue, the safety of journalists and the fight against cartel influence remain pressing issues for Mexico’s government and international observers.