Nuevo Laredo editor's dedication led ultimately to his violent death

Caller-Times ^ | March 23, 2004

[SwinneySwitch]

Due to the continuing traffic in illicit drugs, and to a lesser extent to the squalid business of transporting illegal immigrants into this country, stories of violence from the U.S.-Mexico border are far from uncommon.

Last week, however, brought one such story that was deeply disturbing both in the ruthless mindset it revealed and in the message it sent to all who continue to combat border violence, expose those responsible for it, and attempt to end it.

The story was stark and appalling: Robert Mora, 42, the editor of the Nuevo Laredo daily newspaper La Manana, was killed after arriving at his home about 2 a.m. Friday. But the attacker or attackers were not content with snuffing out the life of this man, who had fearlessly campaigned against the narcotraficantes who have sown so much misery along the border. He was stabbed at least 25 times - clearly in an effort to send a message to those who share his agenda.

In places like Nuevo Laredo, journalism is not just a job; it is a calling. Roberto Mora lived up to that calling - and paid the ultimate price for doing so.

[SwinneySwitch]

"...stories of violence from the U.S.-Mexico border are far from uncommon."

[sgtbono2002]

Yes stories of Violence on the border are uncommon, but nobody ever pays them much mind. However kill a journalists and they come out of the woodwork.

[DumpsterDiver]

RIP, Mr. Mora.

[elbucko]

"..the editor of the Nuevo Laredo daily newspaper La Manana, was killed after arriving at his home about 2 a.m. Friday......He was stabbed at least 25 times - clearly in an effort to send a message to those who share his agenda."

There is a reason that the 2nd. Amendment follows the First Amendment. The 2nd. defends the rights guaranteed in the 1st. Not the courts and not the police.

The pen may be mightier than the sword, but if you use the 1st. Amendment and make enemies, you may need the 2nd. Amendment to protect your right to use the 1st.

[chuckcam]

There is NOT free speech in Mexico, period. You get one sided jouralism all the time (governement line), but when someone DARES to speak out, the kill him. Mexico is real good at this.

[joesnuffy]

When Americans finally wake up to the fact it's the Mexican Government sponsoring narco terrorism...using their troops to protect their meth labs dealers and mules...and smuggling illegal aliens who moonlight as agricultural workers while working the distribution end of the methamphetamine pipeline that is the problem and not some renegades or loose cannons...

Perhaps then we will seal the borders and station our soldiers there.. and put Mexico on the list of terror nations seeking to bring down the USA..- perhaps then we will see Mexico for what it really is and not see it... as Mexico...aka our leetle friend Pedro south of the border...

[ought-six]

Mexico is a third-world, narco-republic that differs from Colombia only in that it has more beaches. Other than that, Mexico and Colombia are twins (but at least Colombia is "trying" to do something to correct its problems; Mexico eagerly encourages its own problems).

[Klickitat]

ping

[gubamyster]

ping

[FITZ]

Wasn't there a Mexican journalist killed in one of their western states just last week?

[Doe Eyes]

The Liberal Press loses another one. No sorrow here.

[B4Ranch]

Any comments?

[ASTM366]

Just another story that confirms that we need to let more Mexican's into the United States.

Its obvious to me that we need their violent, demonic culture to improve our standard of living.

We need to educate the children of ILLEGAL ALIENS from Mexico. We need to let them inundate our county and city hospitals.

Oh, Mexico we need you - our friendly neighbor to the south.

(sarcasm off)

[NewRomeTacitus]

I wonder where this guy was at the time?