Veteran Journalist Assassinated in Peru's Amazon Region

A veteran journalist in Peru, Raul Celis Lopez, was tragically gunned down in Iquitos, a city located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. The 70-year-old radio host was attacked by two assailants on a motorcycle while he was en route to work.

Lopez had dedicated over thirty years to journalism, often covering critical issues such as corruption and the rampant violence perpetrated by armed gangs in the region. His daily current affairs program was a platform for discussing the social and political challenges facing Iquitos, which has become notorious for illegal wildlife trafficking and drug-related activities.

According to reports from the organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the circumstances surrounding Lopez's death indicate it was a targeted killing, as none of his personal belongings were taken during the attack.

In response to the assassination, various press freedom organizations expressed their outrage. The Inter American Press Association condemned the murder and highlighted Lopez's commitment to exposing corruption and crime in Peru. The association's president emphasized the alarming rise in violence against journalists in the country.

The National Association of Journalists of Peru has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into Lopez's death. RSF labeled this incident a dire warning about the precarious situation facing journalists in the region. They pointed out that those reporting on the complex social, political, and environmental issues of the Amazon are increasingly vulnerable and lack protection.

This incident marks the second murder of a journalist in Peru this year. Earlier, Gaston Medina, the owner of a regional television station, was shot dead, also after addressing issues related to extortion and crime.

Peru is currently grappling with an unprecedented surge in gang violence and extortion, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency in several areas. As a result, media freedom in the country is dwindling, with Peru dropping to 130th place in the 2025 Press Freedom Index, a significant decline of 53 positions since 2022.

The ongoing crisis in safety for journalists poses a serious threat to press freedom and democracy in Peru. As the nation faces these challenges, the call for better protection for journalists has never been more urgent.