Photojournalist reports second illegal search of his home in Comitán

TUXTLA GUTIÉRREZ, Chis., (apro) .- Photojournalist Luz del Alba Velasco Gordillo, reported again that her home located in the Cruz Grande neighborhood, in the city of Comitán de Domínguez, was searched on two separate occasions, not just once as initially reported.

Due to the lack of official explanations and fears for her safety, Velasco Gordillo has been forced to leave her home, with no explanation or protection offered by the authorities so far.

He explained that during the first search, the video surveillance cameras he maintains at the entrance to his home recorded the first arrival of a white Suzuki Jimny SUV with a sunroof, unmarked, at 11:39 p.m. on the night of July 11.

“Around 20 people arrive wearing jackets, some with their hands in their pockets; they are municipal police officers, military personnel, and civilians. Two more people approach the gate of the house, see the shape of the lock and the padlock fasteners, a uniformed woman appears, while, outside, 16 vehicles block the street.”

Velasco Gordillo recounted that when he didn't open the gate, they broke it down by force, "then the armed men entered with flashlights and began to search. Another 10 entered the house, along with another 10 armed men. They remained outside, some carrying weapons, others with their hands in their pockets. One of them seemed to be taking notes. After 10 minutes with flashlights, they left as they came, leaving the gate half closed, and returned the following morning, July 12, with a larger number of officers, deploying heavily."

For the photojournalist, the two searches exacerbate her perception of harassment, so she is afraid and has decided not to return home, fearing further reprisals and for her safety.

He noted that, to date, the Chiapas State Attorney General's Office has not provided an official explanation for the motives behind these searches. Nor has any court order been presented to justify the raids.

Velasco Gordillo commented that the day he filed the public complaint, he received a call from the Comitán District Attorney, who simply told him that the search was in response to a citizen complaint alleging drug dealing.

"I demand a thorough investigation into who made that 'citizen call,' and I also demand an explanation and transparency regarding these searches, and that my human rights and those of those around me be guaranteed."

The journalist reiterates that these events are directly related to her work, as she has covered sensitive topics such as violence, forced displacement, and the presence of armed groups in the Chiapas border region. She fears that these raids seek to intimidate her or even "plant" evidence against her to criminalize her.

The case has generated widespread condemnation and concern among the journalistic community and human rights organizations, who view this act as a serious violation of freedom of expression and a risk to the practice of journalism in Mexico.

The lack of a clear response from the authorities and the lack of protection and fear experienced by Luz del Alba Velasco highlight the challenges and risks faced by journalists in Chiapas, a state where violence and impunity are a growing concern.

The journalist has sent letters to various authorities and human rights organizations, including the National Human Rights Commission and journalist advocacy organizations such as Article 19, requesting their intervention and, crucially, protective measures to guarantee her integrity and safety.