Photographer Shot Dead After Threats Over Local Government Criticism In Mexico

Photographer and content creator Ricardo Zúñiga Rosas was shot dead inside his family business months after publicly revealing that he had received threats over his criticism of the local government.

The 35-year-old was attacked in Santa Cruz Atopoltitlán, part of Tehuitzingo municipality in the Mexican state of Puebla, south-east of Mexico City, on the night of 29 August.

Two armed attackers reportedly entered Ricardo's cleaning-products business on Centenario Street and opened fire at close range.

Ricardo suffered a gunshot wound to the chest before the attackers fled the scene.

Relatives and neighbours rushed him to Tehuitzingo hospital, where doctors confirmed his death shortly afterwards.

No arrests have been reported and authorities have not established a motive for the killing.

Ricardo was known locally as a photographer and content creator who posted about events and problems affecting communities in the Tehuitzingo area.

He had also used social media to criticise the municipal administration, including over the local rubbish dump, public spending and construction projects.

Weeks before his death, Ricardo publicly said he had received threatening telephone calls warning him to stop discussing the local government and stay out of politics.

In a Facebook post published on 9 May, he warned followers: "If something happens to me, you already know about the threats I have reported."

Further threats were reportedly made during May and June.

Ricardo had specifically said callers wanted him to stop criticising the administration headed by Tehuitzingo mayor Jorge Estrada Gervacio.

Authorities have not confirmed who was responsible for the threats or whether they were connected to Ricardo's killing.

The Puebla State Attorney General's Office has opened an investigation into the murder and is examining the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Investigators are also expected to consider the threats Ricardo had previously made public as they seek to establish a motive and identify those responsible.

Relatives, residents and people who followed Ricardo's work have called for those earlier threats to form part of the investigation.

No official evidence has been released linking the mayor or any municipal official to the killing.

(Newsflash)