Outrage In Mexico Over Death Of Rubén Espinosa: Who Was He?

The photojournalist was killed in Mexico City

MEXICO CITY.- Photojournalist Rubén Espinosa was murdered this past weekend in Mexico City along with 4 other people, all women. Their bodies were found in an apartment in the Colonia Narvarte neighborhood in the Benito Juarez district. The victims showed signs of torture, bullet holes as well as signs of sexual abuse on 3 of the 4 women. Ever since, thousands of Mexicans have demanded accountability and transparency for the incident, outraged over the possibility of this being an attack to freedom of speech.

During several marches and protests, the so called multiple homicide has been linked to threats that Espinoza had supposedly received due to his journalism work in Veracruz.

Ruben Espinoza, source Horizontal.com.mx
Ruben Espinoza, source Horizontal.com.mx

Rubén had been working for 8 years in the state before he appeared in the headlines, but the journalist was born and raised in Mexico City. It was there he sought refuge after a series of threats he supposedly received because of an article he wrote for Proceso magazine.

Being a photojournalist, Espinosa was the author of an image on Proceso's cover in February 2014, which was dedicated to Veracruz' Governor, Javier Duarte, alongside de image could be read "Veracruz, A State With No Law".

Veracruz is one of Mexico's most dangerous states to be a journalist. And as proof, over the last five years, 13 journalists have fallen.

Proceso's cover
Proceso's cover

Espinoza knew perfectly well the dangers of his career. Having been beaten for protesting, harassed by the government on several occasions, he never stop being an active journalist, supportive and always concern for the safety of his colleagues.

With the help of his piers, he made Congress built the Commission for Attention and Protection of Journalists. Furthermore, he gave personal safety speeches for photographers, even though in the end, this didn't saved him from getting killed.

During an interview with Sin Embargo he assured: "The State Government has let me know that I'm not a welcomed photographer". Many fingers have pointed to Veracruz' governor as possible culprit for this multiple homicide.

"I do not trust any governmental institution, I do not trust the government, I am afraid for my colleagues life and my own" he added.

Henry Romero, source Reuters
Henry Romero, source Reuters

Rubén Espinosa was very focused on social movements. His images, even the ones onsocial media, were always characterized for giving a voice to those who were oppressed, visualizing everything that wasn't convenient to the government.

Notwithstanding his passion as a political and social correspondent, he had an eye also for photographing everyday beauty, whether it was a couple's passionate kiss, a vegetables color selection or a musician waiting to board the subway just to earn a few bucks.

Instagram capture
Instagram capture

On Saturday morning, along with him, the bodies of Nicole, a 29 year old Colombian; Yesenia Quiroz of 18 years of age; Alejandra a cleaning lady of 40, and Nadia Vera of 29 and alleged girlfriend of Rubén were found.

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zyanya.figueroa@sandiegored.com

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