Mexico: PEN International Condemns Legal Harassment Against Journalist and Writer Héctor de Mauleón
Image Credit: Associated Press / Alamy Stock Photo
‘When journalists are silenced through the courts and legal systems, democracy itself is put on trial. Legal harassment of writers for reporting on issues of public interest erodes freedom of expression and threatens the very foundation of a free society.’ Burhan Sonmez, President of PEN International
29 May 2025: The decision to sanction journalist and writer Héctor de Mauleón for his reporting amounts to an act of prior censorship, PEN International said today. Journalists should be free to report on matters of public interest without fear of sanction.
On 1 May 2025, journalist and writer Héctor de Mauleón published his regular column En tercera persona (In Third Person) in the Mexican daily El Universal. In his column, De Mauleón refers to an official document sent by a former Minister of Defence that concerned the alleged ‘existence of a network of corruption, bribery, extortion, and fuel trafficking.’ He also highlights the family relationship between public officials and Tania Contreras López, a candidate for magistrate in the upcoming elections representing the ruling political party.
According to information made public by ARTICLE 19’s Mexico and Central America office, Tania Contreras López filed a formal complaint of defamation and political gender-based violence against Héctor de Mauleón in the Electoral Institute of Tamaulipas (IETAM). While her complaint was initially dismissed, she appealed the decision to the Electoral Tribunal of the State of Tamaulipas. The tribunal overturned the initial ruling and ordered the initiation of a special procedure to sanction the journalist.
On 15 May 2025, Héctor de Mauleón was issued precautionary measures by the IETAM. The document orders the removal of the article from El Universal website and instructs the journalist to refrain from publishing any further content about Tania Contreras López.
PEN International considers the authorities’ decision to be disproportionate, as it fosters self-censorship and exemplifies the misuse of legal mechanisms to intimidate and silence journalists. This decision may severely limit de Mauleón’s ability to carry out his journalistic work freely without threat of further sanction.
Article 13 of the American Convention on Human Rights establishes that every person has the right to freedom of thought and expression and prohibits prior censorship. As a signatory state of the Inter-American Human Rights System, Mexico is bound to uphold these principles. Also, Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights likewise guarantees the right to hold opinions without interference, as well as the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any medium.
PEN International calls on Mexican authorities and electoral bodies to respect press freedom and uphold human rights standards in the case against Héctor de Mauleón. It also urges political candidates not to misuse electoral law to suppress journalism or public-interest reporting.
Note to Editors:
For more information, please contact Alicia Quiñones, Head of the Americas Region, at PEN International, email: [email protected]
For media queries, please contact Sabrina Tucci, PEN International Communications and Campaigns Manager, [email protected]