The office of Peru’s human rights ombudsman denounced the lack of security guarantees for journalists and also noted that the Celis’ killing occurred less than four months after TV journalist Gastón Medina was shot dead.
This statement was originally published on cpj.org on 8 May 2025.
Peruvian authorities must swiftly and comprehensively complete their investigation into the killing of Hora Cero (Zero Hour) host Raúl Celis López who was shot dead Wednesday in the northern Peruvian city of Iquitos, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday.
“Impunity in crimes against journalists must not become the norm. Peruvian authorities must conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into Raúl Celis López’s killing,” said Cristina Zahar, CPJ Latin America program coordinator, in São Paulo. “He is the second journalist to be murdered in Peru this year after the January shooting of Gastón Medina in Ica. These attacks underscore the Peruvian state’s systemic failure to protect journalists and ensure they can freely and safely carry out their work without fear violence.”
Two gunmen on a motorcycle opened fired on Celis, 70, as he arrived on a moto taxi to the Radio Karibeña news station around 5:20 a.m., according to the independent radio station and the National Association of Journalists of Peru (ANP). Célis’ driver told reporters the gunmen fired three times and one of the bullets struck the journalist in the head.
The ANP demanded a swift investigation into the killing of Celis, who it said had been the target of “constant threats” due to his morning news program’s aggressive reporting on government corruption, organized crime, and security problems in and around Iquitos, located on the Amazon River.
Celis’ son, Ramiro said his father was “never afraid to say what he thought” in a Facebook post addressing his death.
The office of Peru’s human rights ombudsman denounced the lack of security guarantees for journalists in Peru and also noted that the Celis’ killing occurred less than four months after TV journalist Gastón Medina was shot dead.
In a statement, Peru’s Interior Ministry said it was investigating the Celis killing, had launched an operation to capture those responsible, and vowed that it would “not permit impunity for this crime.”
