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May 08, 2025 – Mexico –
Miguel Ángel Anaya Castillo, the director of the independent digital outlet Pánuco Online, has been missing since April 13, 2025, in the northern Veracruz municipality of Pánuco. His disappearance, reported on April 19, has raised urgent concerns among press freedom organizations and local journalist protection bodies in Mexico.
Anaya, known for his reporting on local politics, public corruption, and crime, had reportedly been under threat in the weeks leading up to his disappearance. According to accounts from his family and colleagues, three unidentified men claiming to represent the municipal president visited his home on February 28. He refused to meet with them, citing fear for his safety. No further details were given about their intentions, but the encounter contributed to a growing sense of insecurity surrounding his work.
Shortly after Anaya was last seen, all content from Pánuco Online’s social media accounts was deleted, and the pages were taken offline. The sudden disappearance of the platform’s online presence has deepened concerns that his journalism may have been directly targeted.
The Veracruz State Commission for the Attention and Protection of Journalists (CEAPP) activated search protocols in coordination with the State Attorney General’s Office and the Ministry of Public Security. Meanwhile, press freedom organizations such as ARTICLE 19 and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have called on authorities to prioritize the journalist’s professional activities as a possible motive and to conduct a swift, transparent investigation.
This case marks yet another grim chapter for journalists in Veracruz, one of Mexico’s most dangerous regions for the press. Mexico remains among the world’s deadliest countries for media workers, with a long-standing crisis of impunity in crimes against journalists.
Cristina Zahar, CPJ’s Latin America program coordinator, emphasized the importance of holding perpetrators accountable: “The Mexican authorities must act urgently and ensure that those who threaten, harm, or disappear journalists face justice.”
As the search for Anaya continues, journalist unions and advocacy groups stress that the case should serve as a wake-up call for greater protections and systemic reforms to safeguard media workers in Mexico.
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