Shocked by abuse abroad, a Chilean journalist has gone public after reporting a homophobic attack and death threats while on holiday in North Macedonia; the revelation matters for travellers, the LGBT community and anyone watching rights in the Balkans.

Essential Takeaways

  • Who: Chilean journalist Ítalo Zúñiga and his partner, Toni Sánchez, reported the incident while travelling in North Macedonia.
  • What happened: Zúñiga says they faced homophobic abuse and received death threats during their visit.
  • Tone and reaction: He shared the episode on Instagram, condemned the attitudes and offered solidarity to local LGBT people.
  • Context: Human-rights groups and past incidents point to persistent problems with anti-LGBT violence and hostility in parts of North Macedonia.
  • Practical note: Travellers should be aware of local attitudes and plan safety measures when visiting countries with known discrimination issues.

What Ítalo Zúñiga reported and why it matters

The journalist used Instagram to describe an unpleasant holiday turn: public hostility that escalated into explicit death threats aimed at him and his partner. The post mixes frustration and defiance , he praised the country’s scenery but called out what he described as its homophobia. Public accusations like this matter because they put a spotlight on how visitors and locals who are visibly LGBT can still face real danger, not just discomfort.

A pattern that others have documented

This is not an isolated claim in the region. Advocacy organisations and previous press accounts have recorded attacks and threats against LGBT people in North Macedonia over the years. Amnesty International and local groups have documented incidents and highlighted gaps in protection and accountability. Those reports help explain why Zúñiga’s story resonated: it echoes a pattern human-rights monitors say persists across the country.

What human-rights groups and reports say

International NGOs and rights bodies have repeatedly raised concerns about anti-LGBT violence, societal stigma, and uneven police responses in the Balkans. According to monitoring organisations, pride events and public spaces have been flashpoints in the capital and elsewhere. That context doesn’t prove any single claim, but it does show why a foreigner’s report of threats will alarm both locals and international observers.

Travel sense: staying safe without hiding who you are

If you’re planning a trip and are openly LGBT, a few simple precautions help: research local laws and cultural attitudes, keep emergency contacts at hand, avoid isolated areas at night, and consider registering with your embassy if you expect to be in a sensitive situation. That said, many travellers visit without incident; these tips are about reducing risk, not about giving up being yourself.

How Zúñiga turned a complaint into solidarity

Rather than simply narrate the attack, Zúñiga used his platform to send support to LGBT people living in North Macedonia. He framed his post as both a warning and a show of solidarity , a reminder that public figures can amplify local struggles. That reaction is one small way an uncomfortable holiday story becomes a vehicle for attention and pressure for change.

It's a short, sharp reminder that travel can expose you to beauty and, sometimes, ugly attitudes , and that speaking up can make a difference.

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