Mexican journalist Jaime Barrera, the victim of an alleged kidnapping on Monday night, was found alive Wednesday, the prosecutor’s office in the state of Jalisco, in western Mexico, announced.

“The state prosecutor’s office informs that (…) Jaime Barrera has been found and his state of health is good,” according to a post by the prosecutor’s office on X (the former Twitter).

The investigation is continuing to clarify the case and “arrest those responsible”, added the prosecutor’s office.

Mr Barrera, 56, explained that he was taken hostage by thugs after midday on Monday as he was leaving a radio station in Guadalajara after his release.

“They took me out of my car, put me in another, I don’t know where they took me,” he told the Formula Group radio station, adding that his hands had been tied.

“It was a horrible experience,” he added. “I have to ask for more protection and show more attention to the election campaign that has started,” he added.

Mexico will hold general elections on June 2.

Based on the family’s complaint, the journalist had not received any threats.

“My father is with us again,” said his daughter Itchul Barrera, a lawyer and head of the local organization of the MORENA (center-left) party of outgoing Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

The young woman does not consider that it was an attempt at intimidation because of her political action, according to the prosecution.

Jaime Barrera, well known in Guadalajara, where he is respected, presents a news show on the Televisa television station and also participates as a commentator on a political show on Channel 44 of the University of Guadalajara.

More than 150 media professionals have been murdered in Mexico since 2000, while another 28 are missing, according to the NGO Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

For the most part, the murders of journalists have gone unpunished.

The state of Veracruz counts the most murdered journalists during this period (31). Eighteen were murdered during the days of Governor Javier Duarte (2010-2016). Former governor Duarte was sentenced in 2018 to serve nine years in prison for money laundering, conspiracy and gang involvement.

“The illicit collusion (among representatives) of the authorities with organized crime poses a serious threat to the safety of journalists,” RSF stresses.