Reported by:
Cherry Meigh Timbol
News Content Editor
Published September 11, 2026
MEXICO CITY — Mexican Senator Luis Fernando Salazar of the ruling Morena party is facing criticism after directing an aggressive message at journalist Enrique Acevedo following a report concerning fellow Morena politician Julieta Ramírez.
The dispute began after Acevedo and N+ reported on an alleged agreement involving Ramírez and U.S. authorities. The report concerned claims that the senator, who is currently on leave while seeking Morena’s nomination for governor of Baja California, had discussed cooperating with U.S. authorities in connection with an investigation. Ramírez has rejected the allegations, describing them as part of a political campaign against her.
Salazar responded to Acevedo on social media with a message that included the phrase, “vamos a ir tras de ti” — translated as “we are going after you” — while also calling the journalist a liar and criticizing his reporting. The post was subsequently deleted.
The wording prompted criticism because Salazar is a sitting member of Mexico’s Senate and the message was directed at a journalist over his reporting.
Acevedo publicly highlighted the statement and said the issue went beyond a disagreement over the accuracy of a report. He argued that attacking journalists for publishing information raises broader concerns about press freedom and journalist safety in Mexico.
X.com Screenshot (Now Deleted)
Senator Says He Meant Legal Action
Salazar later apologized for the way he expressed himself and said his reference to going after Acevedo meant pursuing legal remedies rather than threatening the journalist physically.
In an explanation reported by Mexican media, Salazar said he was referring exclusively to legal channels available to people who believe they have been defamed or had their reputation damaged.
The clarification did not end criticism of the incident. ARTICLE 19 México and Central America condemned what it described as threats and stigmatizing language against Acevedo. The organization said the incident occurred after Acevedo’s reporting about Ramírez and called attention to the potential consequences of hostile rhetoric toward journalists by public officials.
Allegations Against Fellow Senator Remain Disputed
The controversy is also connected to allegations concerning Julieta Ramírez. Reports about her alleged cooperation with U.S. authorities have not established that she has been charged with a crime, and Ramírez has rejected the allegations.
That distinction is important because the political dispute involves allegations and competing accounts rather than a confirmed criminal finding against Ramírez.
The incident comes amid continuing concerns about political violence, organized crime and threats against journalists in Mexico. Recent reporting has highlighted the risks faced by journalists and politicians as criminal organizations continue to influence security and political conditions in parts of the country.
Press Freedom Concerns
The case has renewed debate over how Mexican public officials respond to investigative reporting. A politician has the right to challenge inaccurate reporting and pursue legal remedies, but press-freedom advocates argue that public officials should avoid language that could be interpreted as intimidation.
For Acevedo, the dispute illustrates the difference between challenging a report through evidence or legal procedures and directly attacking the journalist who published it.
🧩 Bottom Line:
The immediate controversy centers on a Mexican senator’s aggressive public message toward journalist Enrique Acevedo, followed by an apology and an explanation that he intended to refer to legal action. The separate allegations involving Senator Julieta Ramírez remain disputed and should not be treated as established criminal facts. The broader issue is the impact that hostile statements from public officials can have on journalists working in an environment where press freedom and journalist safety remain serious concerns.
SOURCES: BREITBART NEWS – Mexican Senator Threatens Journalist Who Exposed Cartel-Connected Colleague
