Journalists in Mexico are often targeted by cartels and 2022 has already seen 13 casualties, the deadliest year on record for journalists. The operator of Cartel Insider, a website dedicated to reporting the activities of cartels, explained the unique challenges of reporting news on the cartel in Mexico.
Over the course of Mexico's drug war that began in 2006, a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has revealed a sobering statistic: 133 journalists have tragically lost their lives due to circumstances linked to their profession, Reuters reported. Additionally, there are 13 more cases where the reasons behind the deaths remain unresolved. In parallel, this period has seen a staggering toll on Mexico, with a record of over 360,000 homicides.
Mexico consistently holds a position on CPJ's Global Impunity Index, a listing that highlights nations where journalists are killed and their perpetrators escape legal consequences, according to a release from CPJ. In the vast majority of homicide instances within the country, no individual has been successfully convicted.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's administration in Mexico has been ineffective in addressing the issue. During his tenure, the Special Prosecutor for Attention to Crimes Committed Against Freedom of Expression (FEADLE), operating under the federal attorney general’s office in Mexico City and established in 2010 to tackle rising numbers of journalist fatalities, has refrained from proactively pursuing murder cases, CPJ reports.
In an assessment made by the CPJ, Mexico recorded 13 casualties among journalists this year. Some other media organizations have reported the count as 15, which could potentially categorize 2022 as the most fatal year for Mexican journalists on record.
Cartel Insider is an aggregation of different Spanish and English news sites covering Mexican drug cartel activity. The website is maintained by Mica who operates under a pseudonym to maintain his anonymity.
Mica says that when he was young, he often went with his father to visit Puerto Vallarta, a known safe haven for cartel members and their families. He was 13 years old when an infamous nightclub shooting piqued his curiosity and he began to ask locals for their knowledge about cartel activities.
"These dialogues exposed me to the horrific actions of the cartels, igniting my motivation to educate an English-speaking audience about the unfiltered reality of these criminal organizations," Mica told Federal Newswire.
In 2008, Mica began to contribute information to websites focusing on Mexican drug cartels and would eventually launch Cartel Insider earlier this year.
Mica says that the reporting on Mexican drug cartels present unique challenges, much of which arises from the lack of accessible and transparent information. Obstacles to information gathering include Mexico's absence of a cohesive online government record-keeping system, government corruption and cartel members' propensity to change their names.
Mica maintains his anonymity and that of his contacts to ensure their safety. Techniques to remain incognito include the use of dummy email accounts and encryption methods to ensure the confidentiality of communications. He adds that maintaining his anonymity underscores his dedication to uncovering and reporting information rather than sensationalizing.
"It's a commitment to prioritizing research over hype, and integrity over personal gain," Mica said. "The very nature of the subject matter demands an unwavering commitment to these principles."
Mica launched Cartel Insider earlier this year with the goal of delivering cartel news to Spanish and English speaking audiences. As the website's administrator, he curates and translates news from over 75 Spanish sources primarily focusing on Mexican drug cartels. According to Mica, the website has grown steadily, allowing him time to work on original content and yet still be connected.
"This isn't just a hobby for me; it's a commitment to transparency, education, and awareness," Mica said. "By translating these specific local reports, I'm bridging a gap that might otherwise leave English readers uninformed about the nuanced realities of the cartel world. Through my work, I aim to challenge perspectives and possibly influence policy changes by shedding light on these hidden facets of criminal operations."
