Mexico President Clashes with Reporters, Claims Journalist is DEA Agent

A Mexican journalist confronted President Andrés Manuel López Obrador during a recent press briefing, sharing her experience of harassment by his supporters while covering an event. This incident highlights the growing tensions over the president’s rhetoric, which many believe has polarized society and increased risks for media professionals.

When the reporter inquired about what he would do to address this situation, López Obrador’s response was dismissive. He simply said, “nothing, nothing, nothing.”

At the same briefing, the president made allegations against another journalist he criticized, claiming that they were either a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent or an informant. Given the presence of powerful drug cartels in Mexico, such accusations carry serious dangers. Since the year 2000, at least 142 journalists and media workers have lost their lives in Mexico, underscoring the precarious environment in which they operate.

Notably, just days before this incident, gunmen executed a journalist known for covering the country’s most perilous crime stories, injuries also affecting two government-assigned bodyguards. Journalists have long voiced concerns about verbal assaults from López Obrador, who has accused some of being partisan mouthpieces for right-wing politics.

Despite the president’s commitment to holding more frequent press briefings and answering questions, reporters assert they face harassment from his ardent supporters if they pose challenging questions. This reality reached a critical point recently when independent journalist Reyna Ramírez shared an alarming account of being accosted by a hostile crowd of the president’s backers, who derided her as a “sold out reporter,” ultimately forcing her to abandon her coverage.

Ramírez expressed her fear for her safety, stating, “I am at risk because of this; now anyone can attack me in the street.” She urged the president to recognize his role in exacerbating societal polarization. However, López Obrador retorted with irritation, questioning whether she had been speaking too long. When pressed further regarding what steps he would take to rein in his supporters, he reiterated, “nothing, nothing, nothing.”

Shortly thereafter, López Obrador turned his ire towards journalist Anabel Hernández, who has written critically about the supposed connections between the current administration and Mexico’s drug cartels. He claimed that she, too, is affiliated with the DEA, further intensifying the climate of fear surrounding investigative journalism.

The president has chosen not to confront drug trafficking organizations directly, instead suggesting that they are merely individuals who have taken a misguided path, claiming they “respect the citizenry.” He vehemently denies having made any agreements with these cartels, asserting that any accusations against him stem from a broader DEA conspiracy to tarnish his reputation.

This is not the first instance of López Obrador attacking Hernández. She expressed frustration over the president’s perspective, saying, “It’s frustrating that the president sees the narcos as part of the people, but sees the journalists who investigate them as the enemy.” In May, she lamented that the president’s hostility has complicated her work and made public events, such as book presentations, dangerous.

While López Obrador prides himself on being more accessible to the media than his predecessors, his daily briefings often result in questions from more supportive outlets rather than critical inquiries. In the past, he has used private tax and banking records to expose the earnings of journalists he dislikes and has shared the personal contact information of a foreign correspondent, actions viewed as threatening by media advocates.

International organizations committed to press freedom have condemned the president’s attacks on journalists, including criticism from the U.S. State Department and the Organization of American States. Such behavior increases the risks faced by journalists, who already live in a hazardous environment.

In Mexico, media professionals routinely encounter violence, particularly when reporting on sensitive subjects like corruption and the violence tied to drug trafficking. The year 2022 marked one of the most dangerous years for journalists, with at least 15 reported deaths. Most of these murders and kidnappings remain unresolved, creating an environment where impunity is prevalent.

As Mexico prepares for a significant leadership change this fall with the anticipated inauguration of Claudia Sheinbaum, the country’s first female leader in over 200 years, the future of press freedom remains a pressing concern.

Source: CBS News