2012 Michoacán murder of photographers

The 2012 Michoacán murder of photographers concerns two Mexican freelance photographers, Arturo Barajas López (1966? - 19 August 2012) and José Antonio Aguilar Mota (1986? - 19 August 2012), who were kidnapped on 16 August 2012 and found murdered in Ecuandureo, Michoacán, Mexico. The two photojournalists worked in an area that is known for narcotics trafficking and could have been targeted because of their employment as freelance journalists who sometimes photographed accident scenes for the local newspaper.[1]

2012 Michoacán murder of photographers
Date16 August 2012
WeaponsGuns
Deaths2
VictimArturo Barajas López & José Antonio Aguilar Mota

Career

Barajas, 46, and Lopez, 26, were both freelance photographers who were often seen offering their services in the plaza in the town of Zamora and also to the Zamora Valley Press Association. Barajas had also photographed accident scenes and drug-related crimes for the Diaro de Zamora newspaper. They were not, however, members of the press organization.[1][2]

Deaths
Ecuandureo
Mexico City
Mentioned locations within Mexico relative to the capital Mexico City.

The two photographers were last seen on 16 August 2012 while on their way to photograph a social event. Their families said they had left home around 21:00 to work. Their bodies were found in the trunk of an abandoned car on Sunday, 19 August 2012 in the rural area of Tinaja de Vargas, outside the city of Ecuandureo. This city is about 90 miles from the town of Morelia, the capital of Michoacán. Their bodies showed signs of torture and they were killed by gunshot wounds around the head.[3][4]

The murders are believed to have been carried out by members of Knights Templar Cartel (Los Caballeros Templarios Cartel), which since 2011 has controlled drug trafficking in the state of Michoacán. Fifteen other people died in drug-related violence during the same weekend in Michoacán. No progress has been made in the investigation.[5]

Impact

According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography, there have been 27,199 homicides recorded in Mexico during 2011, making it the deadliest year since President Felipe Calderon was elected in 2006. During Calderon's presidency, Article 19 said there have been 72 journalists murdered, 13 journalists reported missing, and 40 assaults on journalists.[5]

Reactions

The Mexican federal government sent 1,000 additional troops to Michoacán to give extra support to local police forces in their fight against the drug cartels operating in that area.[5]

See also

References
  1. "Bodies of 2 Photographers Found Inside Car Trunk in Mexico | Fox News Latino". Latino.foxnews.com. 2012-08-20. Archived from the original on 2012-08-23. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
  2. "Aparecen muertos y con marcas de tortura dos periodistas de Michoacán; van 74 en el sexenio de FCH | Sin Embargo". Sinembargo.mx. 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
  3. "Hallan muertos a dos fotógrafos en Michoacán - La Prensa - Nacional". Laprensa.mx. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
  4. "Dos reporteros gráficos son asesinados en Michoacán " Últimas Noticias". Blogs.cnnmexico.com. 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
  5. "Encuentran Los Cadaveres De Dos Fotografos En El Oeste De Mexico" (in Spanish). El Universal. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
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