Mexico: Investigative Journalist Maria Teresa Montaño Delgado Held Hostage and Intimidated for Exposing Corruption Allegations

The Coalition For Women In Journalism expresses deep support for María Teresa Montaño Delgado, demands authorities conduct a thorough probe and prosecute those responsible

Location: Mexico, Toluca
Date: May 30, 2023

Investigative journalist María Teresa Montaño Delgado was kidnapped and threatened due to her exposé of corruption allegations involving the misappropriation of millions of taxpayer funds by the State of Mexico (Edomex). The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands firmly in solidarity with María Teresa Montaño Delgado and demands that Mexican authorities launch a thorough investigation into the case, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable through appropriate legal measures.

Investigative journalist María Teresa Montaño Delgado traveled nearly 450 miles from Toluca, the capital of the State of Mexico (Edomex), to Coatzacoalcos, an oil city on the Gulf coast. Carrying a $35 million contract for "specialist human capital management" with the Edomex government, Montaño embarked on an investigation into the political power grip of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which has maintained uninterrupted control over the state for almost a century.

Upon arrival to Coatzacoalcos, Montaño found herself in a dilapidated neighborhood, seeking out an address that turned out to be a second-floor apartment in a pastel-pink residential building on a nondescript street, lined with boarded-up bars and empty lots. The company in question, part of a consortium holding contracts worth approximately $55 million, existed only on paper, devoid of any business operations or staff.

The crumbling building shocked her, confirming her suspicions about the illogical contract, and that this fake company was part of a scheme to embezzle significant amounts of public money. "That's why they tried to silence me." stated Montaño, who is the founder and editor-in-chief of the independent news website, the Observer.

Coatzacoalcos, a city engulfed in a violent turf war between rival cartels, hardly seemed like a plausible location for a human resources firm with multimillion-dollar contracts on the other side of the country.

The contracts were not the sole questionable agreements unearthed by Montaño in her pursuit of information.

In early 2021, she discovered numerous contracts worth millions of dollars awarded to companies and individuals across Mexico, many of which pertained to vaguely defined products and services available locally in areas such as cleaning, office furniture, construction, and computer software.

Although these companies and contracts seemed legitimate on paper, forensic accountant Muna Dora Buchahin Abulhosn, who has led investigations into state-run embezzlement schemes, observed multiple "red flags." 

A quick search on Google Maps revealed that the premises of companies awarded lucrative contracts were oddly located in residential streets, abandoned lots, and shopping malls. Some addresses were either associated with multiple companies or didn't exist at all. Additionally, certain companies lacked functional websites despite having multimillion-dollar contracts.

According to Montaño, the contracts were intentionally signed with remote companies to make it nearly impossible for local journalists to conduct physical verification. Montaño remained relentless in her pursuit of answers, continuously posing questions and procuring relevant documents. As a consequence, she believes that her tenacity and dedication to uncovering the truth ultimately led to her kidnapping.

Montaño's revelations proved potentially embarrassing for the PRI, which desperately sought to retain control over the state in the June 4 elections. However, exposing corruption can be perilous in Mexico, particularly for local journalists.

Mexico recorded the deaths of 15 journalists last year, making it one of the most dangerous countries for the media, second only to Ukraine. The pervasive violence and the resulting culture of impunity exert a chilling effect, routinely suppressing reporters through threats, bribes, and blacklisting tactics that hinder access to employment and information.

On August 13, 2021, while on her way to a scheduled medical visit in Toluca, Montaño encountered car trouble. She parked it at a nearby convenience store and opted to take a bus to the clinic instead. The clinic was situated close to the state congress building, which was extensively monitored by surveillance cameras.

Later in the day as a torrential rainstorm ensued, Montaño found herself drenched when a white car, resembling a taxi, beckoned her to embark – marking the beginning of a harrowing evening.

In a distressing turn of events, a slender man in the passenger seat swiftly pulled a revolver upon Montaño's entry into the car. With a chilling tone, he warned her against any screams, asserting that her cooperation would ensure her survival. Meanwhile, seated in the backseat, another man masked her vision by placing her own Covid mask over her eyes. Addressing Montaño, the driver inquired, "You're the journalist, aren't you?"

Fearing for her life, Montaño adamantly denied being a journalist. However, her captors astonishingly possessed information about her residence, as well as the precise location where she had left her car.

Upon arrival at her house, the assailants proceeded to thoroughly search Montaño's home then abandoned her blindfolded on a desolate lot several miles away, approximately four hours after kidnapping her. Stripped of her phone, money, and any means of communication, she relied on a distant source of light to navigate her way to a nearby shopping mall, where she could finally reach out to her family for assistance.

Without delay, Montaño reported the kidnapping to the authorities. It was only later that she realized her assailants had confiscated her laptops, phone, voice recorder, camera, notebooks, and important documents.

"They stole my entire investigation," said Montaño, underscoring the urgency of sharing her findings with the public.

In a collaborative effort, The Guardian, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and Forbidden Stories partnered with Montaño, working closely with her to scrutinize numerous state contracts issued during the tenure of Alfredo del Mazo Maza, whose family held power in Edomex for 29 years. The investigation involved physically visiting each company address associated with the contracts and seeking insights from corruption and political experts well-versed in the Mexican context. 

The investigation uncovered that Maza's government had authorized a minimum of 40 contracts, utilizing approximately 15 front and shell companies, with a combined value surpassing $300 million. Alfredo del Mazo Maza's tenure ended with his loss of office in the June 4 election also marking the end of the 96-year stronghold of political control for the PRI party. 

María Teresa Montaño Delgado

Throughout her career, Montaño has dedicated herself to reporting on the political landscape, crime, and corruption within Edomex. Serving as a correspondent for esteemed national newspapers, she has consistently demonstrated a determination to shed light on sensitive issues, often running afoul of influential individuals in the process. Her track record reflects a steadfast commitment to unearthing the truth and holding powerful figures accountable for their actions.

Following her kidnapping, Montaño went into exile in Spain, where she remained until late 2022. Presently, in addition to her journalistic endeavors, she actively advocates for the protection of freedom of expression for journalists in Mexico. Montaño actively collaborates with organizations such as Article 19 and CIMAC, dedicating her efforts to advancing the rights and safety of journalists. Notably, she played a pivotal role in the development of Mexico's Law for the Protection of Journalists, contributing to the creation of legislation aimed at safeguarding the well-being and security of journalists within the country.

The perilous media climate in Mexico 

The collusion between officials and organized crime is a serious danger to the safety of journalists and greatly undermines the judicial system at every level. Reporters who delve into sensitive political issues or criminal activities, particularly at the local level, are constantly warned, threatened, and tragically, often brutally attacked. Some are forcefully taken and their whereabouts remain unknown, while others are left with no choice but to flee to different parts of the country or even abroad in order to protect their lives. Unfortunately, President López Obrador has not implemented the necessary reforms to address this rampant violence and lack of accountability. It is disheartening that nearly 150 journalists have been murdered in Mexico since 2000, with an additional 28 still missing.

CFWIJ has extensively documented a distressing number of incidents that specifically target women journalists in Mexico. An alarming number of these incidents have tragically resulted in the loss of lives.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism unwaveringly supports María Teresa Montaño Delgado and urges authorities to uphold democratic values by ensuring that those who obstruct journalists in the performance of their duties are prosecuted. The work of journalists is essential to covering stories that are vital to the public interest and they should be allowed to do their job without interference or fear of reprisal. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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