Mexican journalist attacked on first day of 2023 after 2022 was deadliest year for journalists in decades

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A Mexican journalist was attacked in Mexico on New Year’s Day continuing a trend from 2022 that resulted in the deadliest year for journalists in the country in decades.

The media site La Nota Prensa De Sonora said its director, Omar Castro, was attacked but unharmed on a street in the city of Ciudad Obregon.

Castro was traveling with his daughter and a nephew when bullets were fired at his sports utility vehicle. The SUV had a La Nota Prensa De Sonora sign on it.

The site reported the attacker shouted, “I’m going to kill you!” It also posted photos of the bullet-scarred vehicle.

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Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador speaks during a ceremony to commemorate in Mexico City’s main square the Zocalo
(AP)

La Nota Prensa De Sonora reports mainly on local politics, as well as entertainment and other news.

Sunday’s attack, on the first day of 2023, came after Mexico suffered its worst year of killings of journalists in three decades, with at least 15 slayings.

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A man carrying a sign saying "No more blood of journalists" during a protest to demand justice in the Regina Martinez case
(AP Images)

The attack on Castro comes weeks after Mexican journalist Ciro Gomez Leyva was shot by gunmen on a Mexico City street. Leyva survived the attack.

Some journalists have placed blame at the feet of President Andres Manuel López Obrador who has been an outspoken critic of journalists, including Leyva, since taking office in 2018.

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Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador listens as he meets with President Biden in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, July 12, 2022. 
((AP Photo/Susan Walsh))

“Practically all the expressions of hate toward journalists are incubated, born and spread in the National Palace,” a letter signed by 180 journalists stated after the attack on Leyva. “If President López Obrador does not control his impulses of anger toward critical journalists, the country will enter an even bloodier stage.”

President Biden is scheduled to travel to Mexico City on Jan. 9 for a two-day trip meeting with leaders of Mexico and Canada.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital whether violence against journalists will be on the agenda.  

Andrew Mark Miller is a writer at Fox News. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email tips to AndrewMark.Miller@Fox.com.