Bullet-Ridden Body of Mexican Editor Found in Car Trunk

The editor of the Spanish version of the French publication, Le Monde Diplomatique, was found in the trunk of his car, his bound body riddled by at least five shots, police said Friday.

Ivan Menendez, 38, who until three months ago edited the governing party’s monthly Mexico City magazine, Divulgacion, was the sixth Mexican journalist slain this year. None of the murders have been solved.

Le Monde Diplomatique is a monthly publication of the influential French newspaper Le Monde. The Spanish version is distributed in Spain and throughout Latin America.

Menendez was also an active member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, known by its Spanish acronym PRI, which has governed Mexico since 1929.

Menedez also contributed to the Mexico City newspaper, Unomasuno, and the magazine La Republica.

‘Well-Liked in His Field’

“It’s hard to think that his murder is related to any political act. Apparently, Menendez didn’t (seem to) have enemies and was well-liked in his field,” a police spokesman said.

“His murder has left us bewildered, primarily because of the way he was tied and riddled with bullets,” the spokesman said.

Menendez was last seen alive when he left his office in southern Mexico City on Wednesday afternoon.

Another Le Monde Diplomatique official, Antonio Leal Castro, said he discovered Menendez’s car near the offices of the magazine and called the police to search the vehicle. Police found Menendez’s body Thursday in the trunk.