Two journalists killed in Mexican state of Veracruz

Yesenia Mollinedo Falconi, a journalist who was murdered in Veracruz, Mexico, is seen in this picture released on April 13, 2022 and obtained from social media. Facebook Yesenia Mollinedo Falconi/via REUTERS

Two Mexican journalists were killed on Monday in the eastern state of Veracruz, the state attorney general's office said, adding to the toll in one of the deadliest years on record for media workers in the country.

Yessenia Mollinedo and Sheila Garcia died in the municipality of Cosoleacaque, the office said on Twitter. Local media said unidentified gunmen shot the two as they sat in a car.

Violence against media workers has jumped during President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's administration, according to a report published in April by Article 19, a freedom of expression advocacy group.

People take part in a protest after a Mexican journalist was found dead in Sinaloa, in Mexico City, Mexico May 9, 2022. REUTERS/Toya Sarno Jordan

The latest killings come four days after veteran journalist Luis Enrique Ramirez was found dead on the side of a highway in the northern state of Sinaloa.

Prior to the death of Ramirez, eight journalists had been killed this year in Mexico, according to Article 19 data.

Two women take part in a protest demanding justice for victims of violence, in Mexico City, Mexico May 9, 2022. REUTERS/Toya Sarno Jordan

(Reporting by Kylie Madry and Valentine Hilaire; Editing by Leslie Adler)

Police officers stand near the crime scene where journalists Yessenia Mollinedo and Sheila Garcia were shot dead by unidentified gunmen, in the municipality of Cosoleacaque,  in the eastern state of Veracruz, Mexico May 9, 2022. REUTERS/Tamara Corro Ortiz

Members of the local Prosecutor's Office collect information at the crime scene where journalists Yessenia Mollinedo and Sheila Garcia were shot dead by unidentified gunmen, in the municipality of Cosoleacaque, in the eastern state of Veracruz, Mexico May 9, 2022. REUTERS/Tamara Corro Ortiz