The organization Article 19 reported alleged threats and intimidation against Mexican journalist Antonio Nieto by Senator Ricardo Sheffield, following the publication of an article on an investigation by the Mexican Attorney General's Office that allegedly links the senator to a corruption case. Sheffield denied the existence of such an investigation and accused Nieto of fabricating it.
Article 19 said Sheffield allegedly sent a threatening message to the journalist via WhatsApp saying he would "see him in court." The journalist then began receiving warnings on social media telling him not to show up in Guanajuato, the senator's home state. Nieto has been under protection measures for five years due to previous harassment.
The organization urged the Mexican Federal Protection Mechanism for journalists to review and reinforce the journalist's security, and urged the Senate to publicly speak out against acts of intimidation and to guarantee press freedom.