Press freedom once again under attack in Honduras. Thursday, December 21, journalist Francisco Ramirez, 39, was murdered in the town of Danli. Known for his work on drug trafficking which is plaguing the country, he nevertheless benefited from police protection. A system put in place after it was the target of an attack on May 3. For the police, these were personal quarrels. A version contested by the Committee for Freedom of Expression in Honduras which denounces a murder linked to its work.
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Francisco Ramirez was kidnapped by individuals traveling in several vehicles and was the target of gunfire “. This is the only information provided by Honduran law enforcement. The police officer who was protecting him was injured. According to the police, there is nothing to support the theory of an operation linked to drug trafficking.
But for Amada Ponce, director of the Committee for Freedom of Expression in Honduras, there is no doubt: “ This act was commissioned on the basis of his work “, she assures. The journalist’s revelations led to the arrest of several criminals. For their part, the United Nations condemned this murder and called for an investigation.
#OACNUDH condena el asesinato en Danlí el 21 dic. of the social communicator Francisco Ramírez Amador who contacted medidas de protection. The Office of the State has enforced the protection of those who exercise the freedom of expression and initiates the investigation of the case. pic.twitter.com/6L8gK6DfNP
— OACNUDH Honduras (@OACNUDHHN) December 22, 2023
Francisco Ramirez is the second journalist killed since the beginning of 2023 in Honduras. The small Central American country is ranked among the most dangerous for journalists according to several organizations.
Since 2001, more than 100 journalists have been killed there. Mostly by drug traffickers. Criminals whose influence extends into the state apparatus.
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