Mexican Crime Reporter Carlos Castro Shot Dead in Veracruz, Highlighting Persistent Threats to Journalists

January 10, 2026 – Mexico –

A crime reporter identified as Carlos Castro, director of the online news outlet Código Norte Veracruz, was shot and killed in Poza Rica in the eastern Mexican state of Veracruz, in an attack that underscores the continuing peril faced by journalists covering crime and corruption in Mexico. Castro, who had recently returned to Poza Rica after previously fleeing the city due to credible threats, was fatally shot at a restaurant late on January 8, 2026, state authorities and press freedom organizations reported. The State Commission for the Attention and Protection of Journalists condemned the killing and called for a thorough investigation.

Castro’s murder comes amid a broader pattern of deadly violence against members of the Mexican press. Veracruz is widely recognized as one of the most dangerous states for journalists, with numerous reporters killed over the past decade and impunity remaining pervasive for these crimes. Historically, journalists reporting on drug cartels, local corruption, and police misconduct have been repeatedly targeted: Veracruz alone has been the site of multiple journalist murders, including cases in which reporters were killed despite being under official protection mechanisms designed to safeguard at-risk media workers. This pattern reflects deep challenges within Mexico’s efforts to protect freedom of expression and ensure journalists’ safety.

International press freedom and human rights groups have repeatedly criticized the effectiveness of Mexico’s Mechanism for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists, noting that several journalists have been murdered even while enrolled in the program, and many threats and attacks go unresolved. A joint report by Amnesty International and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) highlighted that enforcement gaps, lack of sustained protective measures, and systemic impunity contribute to an environment where reporting on crime and corruption can be a deadly profession.

The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) also issued a strong condemnation following Castro’s killing, emphasizing the ongoing climate of impunity that persists in Mexico and urging state and federal authorities to pursue accountability. IAPA stressed that unchecked violence against journalists not only endangers individuals but also undermines the public’s right to information and democratic accountability in one of Latin America’s most violent media environments.

Castro’s murder marks the first confirmed journalist killing in Mexico in 2026, following a year in which violence against media workers remained high, with at least six media workers killed in 2025, according to CPJ data. Amid national and international calls for action, authorities have pledged investigations, though press freedom advocates maintain that meaningful reforms and enforcement are critical to curb the persistent cycle of violence and impunity.

References –

https://www.barrons.com/news/gunmen-kill-journalist-in-eastern-mexico-a73ee76a

https://en.sipiapa.org/impunity-strikes-journalism-in-mexico-the-iapa-condemns-the-killing-of-reporter-in-veracruz-n1301048

Border Report Live: Mexican journalists putting their lives at risk

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/crime-reporter-killed-mexicos-veracruz-state-129046126

Crime reporter killed in Veracruz, Mexico, was under protection mechanism in 2024