Mexican reporters attacked by Federal Police

Reporters from the Mexican newspaper El Debate have alleged they were assaulted by the Federal Police (PFP) while covering the installation of a security checkpoint in the city of Cuilacán, Sinaloa on May 6.

According to the journalists, the PFP reacted violently after one journalist took pictures, chasing him to the offices of El Debate.

While some officers searched the offices for the photographer, another group detained captured reporter Torivio Bueno.

Bueno told the Committee to Protect Journalists that he was handcuffed, placed face down in the extended cab of the pick-up truck and kicked repeatedly. At least one agent pointed a rifle at him and threatened to shoot. He was then released. When other journalists arrived, the PFP left.

In a telephone interview with human rights organisation ARTICLE 19, one source pointed out that “there exists a latent fear among journalists. We don’t know how [the Federal Police] are going to react anyone could be the next victim.”

Two of the other three reporters have been named as Leo Espinoza and Giovanni Elizalde.

El Debate's managing director Rosario Oropoza told the CPJ a federal police spokesperson called him and said that the incident was an error, claiming the agents were agitated about the death of several colleagues over the past weekend.

According to the CPJ, Mexico is one of the most dangerous places for journalists in Latin America. "Three journalists and three media workers were murdered in 2007, while three reporters went missing. Drug trafficking and organized crime have both become greater problems there in the last couple of years, and reporters who cover these dangerous stories are threatened and killed."