Mexican authorities have publicly disclosed the personal details of a journalist who suffered a physical attack after exposing hidden cameras in a shopping center’s bathrooms in Mexico City. The attacker utilized this information to threaten her.
The situation unfolded in early April when journalist Stephanie Palacios revealed a series of cameras installed in the bathrooms near Mexico City’s San Cos Metro station. Following her revelation, as reported by Breitbart Texas, Palacios returned to the Plaza to document further evidence and was subsequently assaulted by a group at the shopping center, resulting in damage to her equipment.
Initially, the investigation was being handled by local police and the Mexico City Attorney General’s Office (FGJ-CDMX). However, since the incident related directly to press freedom, Palacios opted to work with the U.S. Attorney General’s Office (FGR). Prior to the attack, she was already under federal protection due to earlier threats against her reporting.
Although there was no substantial case against her, FGJ-CDMX agents sought out Palacios at her home and attempted to intimidate her. This led Palacios to receive a call from someone associated with the shopping center, who used her personal information to file false discrimination complaints against her. These complaints implicated Palacios, who merely used mild language when addressing the owner of the shopping center. Notably, the establishment and the bathrooms are owned by Mexican senator Diana Sanchez Barrios, a trans activist with several business ventures in Mexico City.
Since the legal proceedings began, city government officials, including the local mayor and some district authorities, have publicly criticized Palacios, using social media to dismiss her claims and the ongoing federal investigations into her case.
