MORELIA (El Universal).— Journalists from different media outlets demonstrated in Morelia and Uruapan to repudiate the murder of communicator Mauricio Solís Cruz and demand that those responsible for the material and intellectual actions of that crime that occurred on December 29 be brought to justice. October.
The first concentration was in the Government Palace and advanced to the main headquarters of the Legislative Branch. In both buildings in the center of the Michoacán capital, the journalists – with banners – made it clear that We are missing Mauricio!; in addition to: We are missing 14!, which is the historical number of journalists murdered in this entity.
Furthermore, they criticized the mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez, for his hateful messages against communicators, whom he repeatedly calls corrupt and accuses – without evidence – of being criminals. The communicators demanded an exhaustive investigation of deputies, mayors and officials, bearers and transmitters of messages of violence, as well as harassment and threats against journalists.
“Once again, pain, indignation and the demand for justice call us to take to the streets to demonstrate; once again the murder of a colleague leads us to raise our voices here, on the other side of the lens and the microphone, to say that, in Mexico and Michoacán, in a brutal, determined and unpunished manner, journalists are killed, the possibility of being word and image so that you, I, we, all, can know, know, think, decide and do,” the positioning points out.
The document also denounces that, since last September when Carlos Manzo’s administration took office, the stigmatization of journalists has been a frequent practice in statements and press conferences, with widespread hate speech that is a breeding ground for attacking communicators.
“Today we raise our voices for justice for Mauricio, as we continue to do for Jaime Arturo Olvera Bravo, Gerardo Israel García Pimentel, Miguel Ángel Villagómez Valle, Martín Javier Miranda Avilés, Hugo Alfredo Olivera Cartas, José Antonio Aguilar Mota, Arturo Barajas López, Salvador Adame Pardo, Fidel Ávila Gómez, Luis Eduardo Ochoa Aguilar, Abraham Mendoza Mendoza, Roberto Toledo Barrera and Armando Linares, all of them murdered,” the journalists reiterated.
Journalists from the municipality of Uruapan demonstrated on Corregidora Street, in front of Plaza Mártires de Uruapan, the site where Mauricio Solís was murdered.
The communicators blocked that Portal Alto road for a few minutes, also to demand that justice be done to Mauricio Cruz, originally from that municipality and where he forged his professional career.
At the point of the homicide, the journalists placed some candles, cardboard and white flowers, which surrounded the entire House of Culture, where the municipal president, Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez, works.
The journalists accused that the mayor has not shown his face to the local media, nor to the relatives of the murdered journalist. “We demand that Carlos Manzo show his face, that he receive us in court and that he explain to us and to the family of our colleague Mauricio, why the Municipal Police did not want to intervene.”
UruapanChallenge to the mayor
Journalists from the municipality of Uruapan demonstrated and challenged their mayor.
Could it be that he is hiding something?
“We know that Carlos Manzo is here a block away and has not deigned to come. Could it be that he is hiding something?” questioned Carlos López, from the digital media Última Hora Uruapan.
Collaborator
Misael Torres, a collaborator on radio and in MinutoxMinuto, a digital medium directed by Mauricio Cruz Solís, was also present at the demonstration.
Defamatory attacks
“The call was made for the municipal president to guarantee security and to stop the defamatory attacks against the media, because these negative messages against the press have caused people to call us the worst,” said Misael.
#missing #Mauricio #Yucatan #Diary
**Interview with María González, Journalist and Organizer of the Recent Protests in Michoacán**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, María. Can you tell us what motivated the recent protests in Morelia and Uruapan?
**María González:** Thank you for having me. The protests were organized to honor our colleague Mauricio Solís Cruz, who was tragically murdered on October 29. We gathered not only to demand justice for Mauro but also to highlight the systemic violence against journalists in Michoacán. This is part of a larger issue where the lives of communicators are in constant danger, and we felt it was necessary to raise our voices collectively.
**Editor:** During the protests, there were banners saying “We are missing Mauricio!” and “We are missing 14!” What do these slogans signify?
**María González:** “We are missing Mauricio!” is a direct message of solidarity for our fallen colleague. The “We are missing 14!” refers to the shocking reality that 14 journalists have been murdered in Michoacán alone. These statistics are not just numbers; they represent lives lost and families shattered. We want to keep their memories alive and demand accountability for these crimes and the broader issue of violence against the press.
**Editor:** You also criticized Uruapan’s mayor, Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez, for his remarks about journalists. Can you elaborate on this?
**María González:** Yes, the mayor has repeatedly labeled journalists as corrupt and, without evidence, has implied that we are involved in criminal activities. Such stigmatization is dangerous as it fosters an environment where hate speech and violence can thrive. We need our leaders to support, not vilify, journalists who are just trying to do their jobs. We are calling for an investigation into these harmful statements and demand that our elected officials take a stand against violence and harassment.
**Editor:** How have these recent events affected journalists in Michoacán and across Mexico?
**María González:** It has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Many journalists feel threatened, and some have even been forced to self-censor due to the risk of violence. The murders that we are protesting are part of a broader pattern where the truth is silenced, and journalists face deadly repercussions for their work. We believe that raising our voices is a crucial step toward fostering safety and ensuring that journalism, which is essential for democracy, can thrive.
**Editor:** What message do you hope to convey to the public and authorities through these protests?
**María González:** We want to emphasize that this is not just about us; it’s about the fundamental right to freedom of expression. An attack on a journalist is an attack on society as a whole. We demand an end to impunity for those who commit these crimes and urge the public to stand with us in demanding justice—not only for Maurício but for every journalist who has lost their lives while seeking the truth. It’s time for action and accountability.
**Editor:** Thank you, María, for sharing your insights and for your important work in defending press freedom.
**María González:** Thank you for amplifying our voices. We appreciate your support.
