On December 26, it was learned that veteran photojournalist Francisco Eligio Gómez Cortés, known in the world of national journalism as “Frank Cortés”, died.
Social networks were flooded with messages of condolences and sorrow for the death of the graphic communicator who is known not only for the quality of his photographic work but for being a “tireless fighter for freedom of expression and the press.”
Their protest actions against the dictatorship of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo are remembered; Frank Cortés, chained, symbolizing the dictatorship’s oppressive chains on the national press and gagged to confront the regime, criticizing that the cybercrime law is actually a “gag law” against independent journalists.
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He will also be remembered as a defender of human rights demanding the freedom of imprisoned journalists or demanding an end to the repression against the Nicaraguan people.
Cortés died in Managua yesterday afternoon, Thursday, as a prisoner of the dictatorship, as he was subject to the house-to-jail regime.
Opposition organizations, journalists, media and human rights defenders have published messages of recognition to Cortés.
Sources close to his family have indicated that the photojournalist suffered a stroke on December 16, for which he had to be admitted to the Alejandro Dávila Bolaños Military Hospital.
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The cerebrovascular accident left him in a delicate condition from which he could not recover.
Cortés leaves this world at the age of 71, just 6 days before turning 72. He leaves a legacy of recognized photojournalistic quality and many years of camera in hand illustrating the news of the defunct El Nuevo Diario.
