"Around 1:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, two hitmen on a motorcycle attempted to kill journalist Mitzar Bato Castillejos Tenazoa, host of Radio Latín Plus 107.7 FM and director of the social media news portal Bato a Informarte Noticias. The attack occurred as he was heading to work in the [Peruvian] city of Aguaytía, in the province of Padre Abad, Ucayali region, an area known for illicit activities such as illegal mining and drug trafficking.
According to information released by the National Association of Journalists of Peru (ANP, by its acronym in Spanish), Castillejos Tenazoa was intercepted by the hitmen near the La Marina neighborhood, where they opened fire at point-blank range. Up to five shots were counted. Three bullets hit the journalist: one wounding his right arm and another his abdomen.
The victim was taken to the Tingo María Hospital, where the regional government of Huánuco reported that his health is stable. The ANP also denounced that the attack could be related to the investigations and reports the journalist produced regarding alleged irregularities in the municipal administration of the aforementioned province. They demand authorities investigate the incident and take the necessary measures to safeguard Mitzar Castillejos's well-being."
