The Mexican press has once again condemned the killing of one of its own by a group of gunmen. The victim was under police protection, but the attack still occurred.
Alberto “El Llanero” Martinez Nonguez was killed in a targeted attack on Sunday afternoon, in Celaya, Guanajuato. Mexico’s Proceso reports that Martinez and two of his officers were riding in a transit vehicle when they were ambushed by a group of gunmen. The officers managed to repel the attackers and rush Martinez to hospital where he succumbed shortly after. Both officers were injured and have been listed as stable.
Martinez was a crime reporter who worked for many years. He had received 24-hour protection from the police after surviving a failed assassination in 2022. A group of gunmen attempted to kill Martinez as he left his home in 2022. Martinez shifted to reporting car accidents and minor crimes after that attack. Proceso reported that Martinez was returning to the scene of a pedestrian accident after covering it.
Alejandro Martínez Noguez, conocido como “El Llanero”, era uno de los reporteros más influyentes en Celaya, Guanajuato.
Hoy fue asesinado a tiros, pese a que tenía 2 escoltas.
En el 2021 lo entrevistamos y fue demoledor.
Qué rabia y tristeza en lo que se convirtió Celaya. pic.twitter.com/BDvRdjrnmR
— 𝙍𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝘽𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙨 𝙁𝙪𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙨 (@rbarriosfuentes) August 4, 2024
Martinez’s family members posted a message on Facebook asking for prayers. They said, “Pray for his eternal rest.”
The state of Guanajuato, in recent years, has witnessed a dramatic increase in violence, as rival criminal groups, such as the Cartel Jalisco New Generation, and remnants of fuel theft gang Cartel Santa Rosa de Lima continue to wage a fierce turf battle.
Martinez’s murder comes as press freedom groups continue citing Mexico as one of the most dangerous countries for journalists. Mexico’s government dismissed allegations of violence against reporters, claiming impunity had ended under the current administration.
In July, gunmen kidnapped Victor Alfonso Culebro and murdered him in the state of Chiapas.
