Kidnapped Reporter Anabel Flores Salazar's Body Identified By Family

Family members have identified a body found along a highway as Salazar, a kidnapped journalist. Zeta leader in Veracruz, Josele Márquez Balderas gave the order to kill Salazar, Governor Javier Duarte tweeted.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 10, 2016
(Updated)

Tehuacán Puebla, Veracruz, Mexico - The body of Anabel Flores Salazar, 32, has been identified by family members, according to the Veracruz Attorney General's office. Salazar, a freelance reporter for El Sol de Orizaba and former reporter for El Buen Tono was found dead along the Cuacnopalan-Oaxaca highway near the municipality of Tehuacán Puebla.

Salazar was abducted on Monday around 2:00 a.m. from her home in the municipality of Mariano Escobedo in Veracruz by a commando militia group of armed men. The armed men wearing military clothing told family members that they had a warrant for her arrest and then took her. Her body was found on Tuesday in the neighboring state of Puebla partially dressed with feet and hands tied behind her back and showed signs of torture.

El Buen Tono reported that Salazar was dismissed about eight months ago and was no longer connected with the newspaper. The newspaper administration became suspicious that Salazar was driving a 2015 Patriot SUV when she wasn't earning enough salary to afford the SUV and had connections with organized crime.  El Sol de Orizaba confirmed that Salazar was a freelance crime reporter for the last six months.

Salazar was suspected to having a relationship with a known criminal. The Mexican military in Acultzingo on August 30, 2014 arrested Victor Osorio Santacruz, aka, "El Pantera" who was accompanied by Salazar at the time of the arrest.

At least 6 journalists including Salazar had reported to authorities that they had received threats by unknown persons for reporting about crime. Several newspapers have suspended all crime reporting as a result of the threats and Salazar's homicide.

Salazar is survived by two children including a recent birth of a child.

Update: The Veracruz State Governor Javier Duarte on February 13 tweeted that the leader of the Zetas, Josele Márquez Balderas, aka, "El Chici" in Veracruz was the mastermind who ordered crime reporter Anabel Flores Salazar killed. He was also responsible for an attack at the Buen Tono newspaper in Córdova, Veracruz. Balderas was arrested in early February and remains jailed at the Puente Grande prison, according to Governor Duarte.