Two journalists in Canchis, Cusco have accused a local councillor of being behind the death threats they received in May.
On 15 June 2016, German Choquepuma and Lucho Mamani, journalists for the Pachatusan radio station news broadcast, accused Guillermo Limache Lacuta, current councillor for the Provincial Municipality of Canchis, in the Cusco region, of being behind two death threats they received in May.
In March, the journalists published a report about the councillor highlighting that when he was running for office he lied about his education on his resume – which must be presented to the National Electoral Jury – and he also failed to report on a lawsuit against him which should have been disclosed in the public document. Both omissions constitute sufficient evidence to result in the public official having to vacate his post.
The threats were issued on 21 and 22 May. During the telephone calls, the councillor, who identified himself by name, warned the reporters that they would end up dead if they continued to denounce him in their reports. He also complained that had already caused him many problems by reporting on the issue.
The journalists reported the incident to the Public Prosecutor and asked the local government to ensure their safety.
IPYS protests against these acts and demands that the authorities take the necessary security measures to protect the threatened journalists.
