The passing of Maria del Rosario Fuentes Rubio–an advocate, reporter, and physician who was abducted on Wednesday, October 15, 2014–has garnered attention both nationally and internationally. The article, authored by otawka on 10/28/14, highlights that her remains were discovered in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, exhibiting indications of severe mistreatment. Fuentes Rubio actively contributed to the organization Valor por Tamaulipas (Courage for Tamaulipas), which disseminates information and updates to the general public via its 160,000 followers on social media platforms, addressing issues of drug-related violence and instability within the area.
According to the San Diego Union Tribune, citizens in Tamaulipas state, located on the border of Mexico, have been using social media platforms like Twitter to alert and warn their fellow citizens about the occurrences of violence and crime in their communities. One such citizen, Rubio Fuentes, attempted to seek help and warn others about the threats she received from an organized crime group. Despite her efforts, she tragically lost her life due to the failure of both her doctor and the authorities to successfully treat her son, who was a member of the crime group. In an attempt to bring attention to her impending death and kidnapping, Rubio Fuentes posted tweets and shared a gruesome picture of herself with a bullet hole in her face. Unfortunately, her Twitter account was hacked by her kidnappers, and the news of her killing went viral.
In February 2013, it was reported that Rubio Fuentes, who was believed to be a member of an anonymous group connected to a drug trafficking organization in Tamaulipas, was asked to contribute to her own safety by providing information about the whereabouts and identity of the administrator of Tamaulipas por Valor. Users of Twitter-related accounts used by Tamaulipas por Valor have continued to receive threats related to organized crime, causing confusion among the public. In response, a reward has been offered for information regarding the location and identification of the administrator.
Critics argue that the Mexican government has been slow to enforce and implement reforms to protect members of the media and that, despite changes in the law, the government has not prosecuted crimes against journalists. In March 2012, the Mexican legislature passed a constitutional amendment giving federal authorities broader jurisdiction to prosecute crimes against journalists. However, this figure does not include journalists who have been confirmed to have disappeared or been murdered, with 27 journalists being murdered in Mexico since 1992. The recent deaths of several journalists in Mexico, including the murders of two activists and journalists in Sinaloa on separate occasions on October 11 and October 10, follow Rubio’s Fuentes’ death.
The administrator penned, “[She] sacrificed her life for the community … She is a champion.” The administrator of Valor por Tamaulipas, who remains unidentified for safety purposes, declared that the organization would persist in their efforts and pay tribute to Fuentes Rubio. “She displayed such audacity that she was exposing herself to even greater danger by cooperating with me,” Nevertheless, the administrator expressed.
Sources:.
“Senate Approves Making Assaults on Journalists a Federal Offense.” Reporters Without Borders. March 14, 2012.
“Drug trafficking group targets ‘Valor por Tamaulipas.'” Justice in Mexico. February 19, 2013.
“Journalists, Murder with Away Getting: CPJ’s 2014 Global Impunity Index highlights countries where journalists are killed and the perpetrators escape punishment.” The Committee to Protect Journalists published this report in April 2014, written by Elizabeth Witchel.
Report. “Tamaulipas denounces the execution of one of its collaborators.” Proceso. October 16, 2014.
Article. “Contributor of “Valor por Tamaulipas” experienced threats before being murdered.” Proceso. October 17, 2014.