The Peruvian journalist, Mitzar Castillejoswhat had been shot by killersHe died this Friday in hospital in Lima after an unsuccessful battle by doctors to save him. Four journalists including Castillejos were murdered in Peru this year.
The National Association of Journalists (ANP) denounces that his case confirms a pattern of Violence in the country against the presswhich seeks to investigate local and regional power sectors that in turn seek to achieve impunity by restricting freedom of expression.
Castillejos, 34, was attacked by gunfire a few days ago on December 12 as he was leaving his home in the town of Aguaytía, in the Ucayali region. He was on his way to Radio Latín Plus, where he hosted a news program. After a two-week hospital stay, he died as a result of severe injuries to his chest and abdomen.
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The practice of professional and critical journalism is a mainstay of democracy. That is why it bothers those who believe that they are the owners of the truth.
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His death comes in addition to that of digital media reporter Kamila TV. Fernando Nunezwho was mixed up In early December, when I returned from press reporting in the northern La Libertad region.
Likewise the journalist Gaston Medina came from the Ica region killed by 11 shots in January of this year and Raul Celis He was shot dead by a group of unidentified gunmen in Iquitos district in May while he was in a vehicle recording his radio show.
The National Association of Journalists calls out local power
The National Association of Journalists (ANP) demanded a “exemplary punishment for those responsible for the murder”and at the same time called on the Prosecutor’s Office for Human Rights and the Peruvian National Police to quickly initiate investigations so that the crime does not go unpunished.
“As we remember, on December 12, two people shot him at close range as he left his house to anchor his news program on Radio Latín Plus 107.7 FM. After the attack, the press secretary was taken to the health center in Aguaytía, then transferred to the Tingo María hospital and finally transferred to the María Auxiliadora hospital in Lima, where he died,” the ANP said in a statement explanation.
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“Mitzar, according to information collected by the ANP in the city, had filed public complaints about supposedly Irregularities in local government the province Father Abbotwhich reinforces the need to investigate the attack while making its intelligence work a priority,” the association said.
“This death represents the second murder this month and the fourth in the peak year of 2025, confirming that it has been a disastrous year for the exercise of press freedom in Peru. The four murdered journalists were from the regions and were investigating local or regional power, showing a worrying pattern of information activities,” the association added.
LM
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