Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — A female journalist in Playa del Carmen has reportedly died from respiratory issues after contracting coronavirus. Martha Caballero Collí worked in the Social Communication Department of the Solidaridad City Council.
Martha Caballero was also the director of Comunicación Social de Isla Mujeres, press officer in the José Luis Toledo campaign and reporter for QueQui, Diario de Quintana Roo and Radio Turquesa.
In a statement, Román Contreras, the director of Comunicación Social for Solidaridad City Hall said “I deeply regret the death of my teammate Martha Caballero Colli, who was Deputy Director of Social Communication for the City of Solidaridad. My condolences to her family and through me, all the support they require.”
Contreras went on to explain in relation to some media accusations regarding her death, “Regarding malicious and false statements circulating on social networks, I categorically affirm that the Social Communication Directorate has promptly complied with preventive and protective measures for citizens, including city council employees, particularly those who, due to their health conditions are more vulnerable, which is not only public and notorious can also be corroborated with official documents, which are available to whoever requires them.
“The municipality of Solidaridad, hand-in-hand with the government of the republic and the government of Quintana Roo, are complying with the protocols that the national health authority dictates to achieve the containment of the pandemic.
“This tragedy, which mourns the entire union of communicators in the municipality and the state, forces me to demand greater responsibility from those who, using the immediacy of social networks, circulate falsehoods for the sake of notoriety, sacrificing ethical obligation to corroborate the facts before making them public.
“In tribute to the tireless work of Martha Caballero, exemplary communicator, I pray to all of you: for you, for your family, for all of us, stay at home. Let’s respect prevention measures,” he said.
The comment came after several local media published claims that city council employees were forced to work while health protocols regarding the coronavirus were not being met.
