Guatemalan journalist Mario Ortega shot and killed
November 18, 2020 12:09 PM EST
Los Angeles, November 18, 2020 — Guatemalan authorities must conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the killing of journalist Mario Ortega and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
On November 10, two unidentified individuals shot Ortega outside his home in the southwestern city of San José, according to news reports and a relative of the journalist, who spoke to CPJ on the condition of anonymity, citing fear of reprisal. Following the attack, Ortega was transferred to a local hospital, where he remained in intensive care until he died on November 14, according to those reports.
Ortega was the founder of San José Total, a TV station and digital news outlet where he also worked as a reporter covering local political and social issues, according to the relative and a statement by the Association of Guatemalan Journalists, a local press advocacy group.
“In a country where journalists’ killings so often remain unsolved, the recent killing of Guatemalan journalist Mario Ortega is deeply concerning,” said CPJ Central and South Americas Program Coordinator Natalie Southwick, in New York. “Guatemalan authorities must act swiftly and open a credible investigation into Ortega’s killing, determine if it was related to his reporting, and bring those responsible to justice.”
More:
https://cpj.org/2020/11/guatemalan-journalist-mario-ortega-shot-and-killed/
