Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – In a concerning turn of events on the afternoon of November 24, state police officers were reported to have attacked journalists covering a demonstration against vehicle verification in Puerto Vallarta.
Evaristo Tenorio, a reporter for Tv Azteca, was allegedly assaulted by an officer while filming the arrest of a demonstrator. Despite identifying himself as a member of the press, Tenorio was not only assaulted but also detained, as witnessed and documented by fellow journalist Susana Carreño on social media.
Further accounts from the Puerto Vallarta Journalism Network highlighted attempts by the officers to confiscate the camera of Ángel Martínez from CPS Media and Tribuna de la Bahía. Additionally, the report mentions gender offenses directed at Guadalupe Martínez, director of the Vive Puerto Vallarta portal and correspondent for Tráfico ZMG and Night Guard.
In response to these alarming incidents, the Puerto Vallarta Journalism Network has urgently called for an investigation by the Government of Jalisco. A statement from the Network emphasized the need for a swift and thorough investigation to bring clarity to the incidents and ensure appropriate legal actions if any crimes were committed.
The Jalisco Public Security Secretariat acknowledged these concerns and confirmed that an investigation has been initiated. However, their acknowledgment currently extends only to the attack on reporter Evaristo Tenorio. Juan Bosco Agustín Pacheco Medrano, head of the Secretariat, has directed the Internal Affairs Directorate to expedite the investigation into these events, as stated in their social media communication.
This incident raises serious concerns about the safety and freedom of the press in Puerto Vallarta, particularly during coverage of public demonstrations. The journalism community and the public at large await further developments as the investigations proceed.
