Mexican journalists targeted in wave of violence, 5 shot in one day with 2 in critical condition

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador stated that five journalists were shot in Mexico on Tuesday, with two of the victims currently in serious condition. The attacks occurred in Chilpancingo, the capital city of the southern state of Guerrero, where journalists were covering a string of homicides. Maynor Ramón Ramírez, a fifth journalist, was shot in neighboring Michoacan. These shootings are one of the most significant single-day tolls in Mexico in roughly a decade. Various journalism associations have condemned the attacks and called on President Obrador to end his criticism of the media. In addition to these recent attacks, three journalists were kidnapped in Taxco, Guerrero, and later released. There have been at least 54 journalist killings in Mexico over the past five years. Certain regions, such as Guerrero and Michoacan, are known for their high levels of violence. In Guerrero, drug gangs and cartels are the source of deadly conflicts, while Michoacan has experienced turf battles involving cartels and local gangs.