WHEREAS since the General Assembly of the IAPA, held from October 16 to 19, 2025, new and serious attacks against journalists have been recorded in the Americas
IAPA Midyear Meeting. April 23 - 24, 2026.
WHEREAS since the General Assembly of the IAPA, held from October 16 to 19, 2025, new and serious attacks against journalists have been recorded in the Americas
WHEREAS six journalists were killed, for apparent reasons related to their professional work, in incidents occurring in Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru, and that two others were kidnapped in Haiti, highlighting the persistent violence against those who practice journalism
WHEREAS in Ecuador two journalists were killed: Robinson del Pezo, digital communicator and founder of the page La Voz del Pueblo vuelve por ti mi provincia, on November 20, 2025, in the canton of La Libertad, province of Santa Elena; and Fernando Álvarez, founder and administrator of the digital outlet FernandoTV, on October 28, 2025, in the province of Guayas
WHEREAS in Haiti, journalists Osnel Espérance, of Radio Uni FM, and Junior Célestin, of Radio Television Megastar, were kidnapped and intercepted on March 13, 2026, in downtown Port-au-Prince; and that there are unconfirmed reports claiming that they were killed
WHEREAS in Mexico two journalists were killed: Carlos Castro, director of the Facebook portal Código Norte Veracruz, on January 8, 2026, in Poza Rica, Veracruz, despite having reported threats and having been under protective measures that were withdrawn months before the crime; and Miguel Ángel Beltrán, a digital platform journalist who reported on violence and organized crime in Durango, who disappeared on October 23, 2025, and whose body was found two days later in the town of Río Chico
WHEREAS in Peru two journalists were killed: Mitzar Bato Castillejos, host of Radio Latín Plus and director of the social media news portal Bato a Informarte Noticias, in the Ucayali region, was the victim of an armed attack on December 12 and died on December 26 as a result of his injuries; and Fernando Núñez, director of the news portal Kamila TV, lawyer and secretary of records of the National Association of Journalists, Chepén branch, was killed on December 6, 2025, on the Pan-American Highway North, in the La Libertad region
WHEREAS in Peru, the annulment of the conviction against Daniel Urresti for the murder of journalist Hugo Bustíos generated rejection from press organizations and international concern, as it is considered to weaken the country’s commitments and favor impunity
WHEREAS impunity in crimes against journalists remains one of the main factors perpetuating violence against the press
WHEREAS that the Declaration of Chapultepec establishes in its fourth principle that “murder, terrorism, kidnapping, intimidation, the unjust imprisonment of journalists, the destruction of facilities, violence of any kind and impunity for perpetrators. Such acts must be investigated promptly and punished harshly” severely restrict freedom of expression and of the press, and that these “acts must be investigated promptly and punished harshly.
THE IAPA MIDYEAR MEETING RESOLVES
To strongly condemn the killings of journalists Robinson del Pezo and Fernando Álvarez in Ecuador; Carlos Castro and Miguel Ángel Beltrán in Mexico; and Mitzar Bato Castillejos and Fernando Núñez in Peru; as well as the kidnappings of Osnel Espérance and Junior Célestin in Haiti; and to express solidarity with their families, colleagues, and media outlets
To urge the authorities of Ecuador, Haiti, Mexico, and Peru to conduct timely, thorough, and independent investigations to identify, prosecute, and sanction both material and intellectual perpetrators
To express concern over the judicial decision in Peru that, by annulling convictions in serious human rights violations such as the murder of Hugo Bustíos, may weaken confidence in the justice system and affect the protection of press freedom
To call on the governments of the region to strengthen protection mechanisms for journalists and media workers, especially for those covering sensitive issues such as corruption, organized crime, and citizen complaints
To reiterate that impunity in crimes against journalists undermines press freedom and weakens the rule of law.
