Peru: Nataly Julca Receives Death Threats for Reporting on Soccer Player’s Alleged Affair

WPF condemns the violent threats against entertainment reporter and her colleague, demands police investigate

Location: Peru, Lima

Date: August 15, 2024

Two journalists from the Peruvian entertainment show Magaly TV, Nataly Julca, and Gianfranco Pérez, have received death threats after reporting on a scandal involving a Peruvian soccer player and a singer. The threats came from a criminal group reportedly linked to the soccer player. Although entertainment reporters are not typically seen as covering high-risk stories, this case shows how quickly reporting on public figures can become dangerous. Women Press Freedom condemns the intimidation of Julca and Pérez and urges Peruvian authorities to take immediate action to protect the journalists and hold those responsible accountable. In a country where press freedom is fragile, this incident shows that no journalist is immune from threats when covering powerful figures or sensitive topics.

On August 15, 2024, Magaly TV reporter Nataly Julca received a series of menacing WhatsApp messages warning her to stop reporting on the alleged relationship between Peruvian soccer player Christian Cueva and singer Pamela Franco.

The messages, sent in the early morning, threatened to kill her, sexually assault her and her mother, harm her father, and plant explosives at her home. The intimidation escalated when Julca was told the perpetrators had arrived in Lima to carry out their threats, promising to burn down her house due to her investigations into Christian Cueva.

Gianfranco Pérez, Julca’s colleague, also received threats. According to El Comercio, Pérez was contacted by people claiming to be members of the criminal gang "La Coalición," who warned they would kill him if he continued reporting on the affair. The criminals sent Pérez his exact location and threatened sexual violence against him.

Magaly Medina, the presenter of Magaly TV, accused Christian Cueva of orchestrating the threats, pointing to his access to one of the reporter’s phone numbers and his suspected connections to criminal elements. Medina warned that if any harm is done to her reporters, Cueva would be held accountable.

This is not the first time Cueva’s name has been linked to criminal activity or violence. His alleged ties to organized crime have been the subject of past speculation, raising serious concerns about the threats against the reporters. On August 21, 2024, Cueva was released from his contract with Peruvian soccer club Cienciano, just two days after signing, following accusations of domestic violence from his wife, Pamela Lopez. She reported multiple instances of physical and psychological abuse, further tarnishing the soccer player’s reputation. The involvement of "La Coalición," a criminal group officially dismantled in May but apparently still operational, signals a heightened level of danger for the journalists.

The targeting of the Magaly TV journalists Nataly Julca and Gianfranco Pérez represents a serious attack on press freedom. These threats, which followed their coverage of a scandal involving soccer player Christian Cueva and singer Pamela Franco, highlight the significant risks journalists face, even in entertainment reporting. The violent history linked to Cueva, who is believed to have instigated the threats, increases the concern for the reporters' safety. Women Press Freedom strongly condemns these actions and calls on Peruvian authorities to act swiftly. The police must thoroughly investigate the threats, protect Julca and Pérez, and hold those responsible accountable.

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

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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