The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has expressed serious concern over the targeted shooting of Ecuadorian journalist José Vinces and urged authorities to continue investigating the attack. Vinces was shot in the stomach by two gunmen while following a tip about human remains at Huaquillas cemetery. He was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday after receiving treatment. Police later confirmed the tip was fabricated, suggesting that the attack had been deliberately set up to target him.
José Vinces, founder of the El Oro province news outlet Vinces TV, reported that the gunmen fired at him ten times. In response to the attack, Vinces TV called on authorities to investigate thoroughly, transparently, and effectively, stressing that those responsible must be held accountable. The outlet also reaffirmed its commitment to continue reporting on community issues, complaints, and local governance despite the attack.
CPJ noted that Vinces is a frequent critic of the Huaquillas mayor and often reports on crime and local government corruption. José Zamora, CPJ’s regional director for the Americas, urged authorities to determine whether the shooting was linked to Vinces’ reporting and to hold those responsible accountable.
The Coordinating Committee for the Protection of Journalists (MAPP) also strongly condemned the attack and called for immediate action to protect Vinces. MAPP highlighted that the situation is particularly critical in provinces like El Oro, which experience high levels of violence, and warned that attacks on journalists increase self-censorship in Ecuadorian provinces where reporting has become a high-risk activity.
In 2025, the Journalists Unchained Foundation reported 168 attacks against journalists and media workers across Ecuador, underlining the dangerous environment in which reporters operate. The attack on Vinces reflects broader challenges to press freedom and the urgent need for effective protection measures for journalists in the country.
