The deficiencies in the investigations of the journalists murdered in Veracruz between 2010 and 2016, during which Javier Duarte governed the state, reveal the collusion of authorities to create patterns of impunity, according to the investigation Prohibited to Investigate: The Sustained Impunity in Crimes Against Journalists in Veracruz, published by the NGO Propuesta Cívica.
The study reviews three cases that resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, including journalists who were critical of the ties between the state government and organized crime, and describes the context that led to the creation of the environment of violence in which 18 journalists were murdered during a six-year term.
Through the review of the files generated in the investigation of these crimes, the study detects that in the three incidents in question, there are patterns that highlight these deficiencies and a systematic complicity.
It emphasizes that the investigations were conducted superficially, meaning without clear hypotheses and without considering that these are complex cases involving the participation of organized crime, the journalistic profession of the victim as a possible motive, and a gender perspective.
Another consistent omission would be that the inquiries overlook relevant data such as forensic reports, telephone and object analyses, identifications, among others, and instead rely mainly on interviews and statements from alleged members of organized crime and police officers.
They also underline that there were protocols that were not respected; for example, in cases where a disappearance occurred, there was no immediate reaction from the authorities; likewise, the crime scenes and the evidence within them were not properly secured.
Finally, the document points out that the authorities did not adopt the recommendations issued by the CNDH and international organizations. This collectively suggests a collusion, either direct or by tolerance, with crime.
Since the year 2000, more than 30 journalists have been murdered in Veracruz, of which 18 correspond to the six-year term during which Javier Duarte governed.
