English/Español: Rubio and Kaine Urge State Department to Address Ongoing Violence Against Journalists in Mexico

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken requesting him to outline detailed steps the agency will take to help protect freedom of expression in Mexico and to address the persistent violence against Mexican journalists and media workers. Nine journalists were killed in Mexico in 2021 and at least 148 since 2000. This year alone, four have been brutally murdered. It is very concerning that this war against the press is happening in a country that has been a well-established democracy.

For years, press freedom advocates have decried the administration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's inaction to seriously address the threats journalists face. President López Obrador continues to severely criticize journalists who are critical of his government, and he has failed to defend freedom of expression in Mexico. Reporters Without Borders ranked Mexico 143rd out of 180 countries in its 2021 World Press Freedom Index, and more than 50 journalists have been killed since President López Obrador's Administration came to power in 2018.

"We write to express deep concern about the ongoing killings of journalists in Mexico and to seek greater insight into U.S. efforts in support of press freedom in the country," the senators wrote. "While the bilateral partnership between our nations remains strong, the U.S. must urge the Mexican government to seriously improve efforts to protect journalists."

"The years-long violence against journalists in Mexico cannot begin to lessen as long as the country's leader continues to normalize hostility towards freedom of expression," the senators noted. "Ultimately, the troubling relationship between public officials and drug cartels must be confronted if all Mexicans, including journalists, are to be protected. Ensuring that all Mexicans feel safe and secure in Mexico is in both of our countries' best interests."

"We request that the State Department provide detailed information on what specific steps the agency will take to ensure that there is transparency and accountability for the recent murders of journalists, and to better address the crisis of freedom of expression in Mexico," the senators continued. "We also request an overview of the steps the Department has taken to address and mitigate pattern of cooperation between drug cartels and individual members of Mexico's government. In addition to your written response, we urge State to schedule a briefing with our respective offices on this issue to better understand what actions Congress may take to help as well."

Rubio is the Ranking Member and Kaine is the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues

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