Mexican Journalist Carlos Castro Killed in Veracruz After Protective Measures Were Withdrawn

January 28, 2026 – Mexico –

A 25-year-old Mexican journalist, Carlos Leonardo Castro, was shot dead on January 8, 2026, in Poza Rica, Veracruz, highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by media professionals in one of the most perilous regions for the press. Castro, who directed the Facebook news outlet Código Norte Veracruz and reported on security and crime issues, was ambushed by unidentified armed men who opened fire on him inside a restaurant where he was dining. His assailants then fled the scene, and local law enforcement, including state police and the National Guard, responded to the attack.

Authorities had previously provided protective measures for Castro through the State Commission for the Attention and Protection of Journalists (CEAPP) after threats were made against him, but those protections were reportedly discontinued in 2024 on the basis that he was no longer believed to be at imminent risk. Castro had also spent time outside Veracruz earlier in hopes of avoiding violence before returning to resume his reporting work.

The killing has drawn condemnation from press freedom organisations. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) demanded a transparent and rigorous investigation and emphasised that authorities should consider whether Castro was targeted because of his journalism. RSF noted that Veracruz remains one of the deadliest states in Mexico for journalists, with Castro being the eleventh media worker killed since President Claudia Sheinbaum took office in October 2024. The organisation and local journalist groups have urged authorities to pursue justice and protect journalists more effectively.

Mexico has long been recognised as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists, with press freedom advocates documenting high levels of violence, intimidation, and impunity for crimes against media workers — particularly in regions affected by organised crime and corruption. The Mexican press has repeatedly called for stronger protections and accountability amid a context where attacks on journalists often go unresolved.

Castro’s death underscores the persistent vulnerabilities faced by journalists covering crime and security matters in Mexico and raises questions about the effectiveness of protective mechanisms for reporting professionals, especially when threats escalate or protective measures are withdrawn.

Reference –

First Mexican journalist killed in 2026 used to have police protection

https://www.milenio.com/politica/periodista-asesinado-en-veracruz-abandono-proteccion-segob