The Salvadoran Journalists’ Association (APES) expresses its deep concern over the detention of Mario Guevara, a Salvadoran journalist arrested while covering a protest against immigration raids in DeKalb County, United States.
Guevara, founder of the news website MGNews and one of the most recognized Spanish language reporters for his coverage of immigration issues, was arrested on June 14th while broadcasting live on his Facebook account, where he has more than 700,000 followers. The broadcast, which showed protests against the Trump administration’s immigration policies in
DeKalb County, captures the moment riot police detain Guevara. In the video, he can be heard saying «Don’t touch me» and «Officer, officer, I’m from the press» before being knocked down and the feed cutting out.
International media reported that Guevara remained in the DeKalb County jail until the early morning of June 18th, when he was handed over to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Although his current detention center has not been officially confirmed, his name is already listed in the federal system for that institution, according to reports.
According to statements given to US media by attorneys from the firm Díaz & Gaeta, the legal team representing Guevara in this case, the charges faced by the journalist are minor: obstructing police work by walking in a street and participating in an unauthorized demonstration. The attorneys also clarified that Guevara has a valid work permit in the United States, which grants him legal authorization to remain in the country.
Considering these events, APES expresses its deep concern over the detention of the Salvadoran journalist, which occurred in the context of legitimate coverage and in the exercise of universally recognized freedom of expression and demands that his rights be respected. We express our solidarity with Guevara and his family and call on the relevant authorities to guarantee his safety, defend him, and respect his integrity.
As an association defending freedom of expression, we believe that this arrest and Guevara’s possible deportation would set a negative precedent for the Hispanic press and the practice of journalism. Therefore, we reiterate our call to respect the work of journalists and independent media outlets that cover sensitive issues for the migrant community in the United States. We also call on the Salvadoran authorities to guarantee the journalist’s protection and provide appropriate consular assistance.
