In brief
Authorities believe Dámaso López Serrano orchestrated Valdez's killing due to his critical coverage of the Sinaloa cartel.
In a significant move, Mexico has formally requested the extradition of Dámaso López Serrano, believed to be the mastermind behind the murder of journalist Javier Valdez. Valdez was a prominent figure in journalism, known for his courageous reporting on the Sinaloa cartel, who was brutally killed in Culiacán in May 2017. Mexican Attorney General Alejandro Gertz stated that López Serrano, also known as "Mini Lic," was responsible for the attack after feeling threatened by Valdez's reporting on cartel power struggles. Despite numerous extradition requests, the US had previously declined, viewing López Serrano as a "protected witness" providing valuable information. López Serrano was detained by US authorities on fentanyl trafficking charges in December and now faces further legal scrutiny after being re-arrested. The unrelenting violence against journalists in Mexico is alarming, with over 150 reporters killed since 1994. In 2022 alone, 15 journalists lost their lives, underscoring the perilous climate for media in the country.
