A journalist has been kidnapped in the eastern Mexican state of Veracruz, authorities said on Tuesday. They have launched a search operation.
Richard Villa, a specialist in police affairs, was kidnapped by armed individuals while he was repairing his moped, indicated the information portal "
PresenteVeracruzOficial
" which presents him on its Facebook page as "
our reporter
".
The Local Commission for the Protection of Journalists (CEAPP) for the state of Veracruz indicated that a "
search operation
" has been launched with the public prosecutor's office and the local Ministry of Security.
Violence against the press
Mexico is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists, with more than 150 murders since 2000, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Last year was particularly violent for the press with 13 homicides, according to the government.
Most crimes against journalists go unpunished.
The journalists targeted often work in precarious conditions, in the States most affected by the violence of drug traffickers.