Two Administrators Of Tijuana News & Memes Facebook Page Killed

By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

Two founders of Tijuana664Oficial, a popular Tijuana meme and news Facebook page, were killed by gunmen at their home in north east Tijuana on the night of August 6. Their Facebook page posted about local news, including organized crime in the region.

The events occurred outside of their home on 1 de Mayo street in Cañón El Rubí neighborhood of northeast Tijuana. The victims have been identified by local authorities as Sergio “N” y Mario “N”, 40 and 43 years old respectively.

The vast majority of the posts on Tijuana664Oficial are local memes and jokes, but a look at current posts shows there is also reporting and discussion of local crime. It is possible that the two administrators were targeted because of posts related to local criminals. The Facebook page has 17,000 followers. 

Since the killings, other administrators have deleted a large number of posts from the account, presumably posts related to local organized crime. An administrator also posted a statement, informing the members of the deaths and apologizing to anyone who was offended by posts. The message said "our intention never was to offend or make fun of anyone, however the founding administrators decided the posts, now this page will change to offer what it originally did, news and good and important things of Tijuana, we ask pardon if anyone felt offended by previous posts".

Facebook group administrators and journalists face similar threats in Mexico, but can have a adversarial relationship, notes The San Diego Union Tribune. While journalists often attach their name and fact check their work, Facebook groups such as Tijuana664 are more liberal with their posts, sometimes causing controversy and confusion with rumors and accusations. Their posts can attract the attention of criminals.

Sources: The San Diego Union Tribune, Excelsior, Tijuana664 Facebook page