Seven journalists killed and two missing in 2026
Colombia: 2 | Guatemala: 1 | Mexico: 4 | Haiti: 2 journalists missing
Ricardo Zúñiga Rosas, photographer and content creator. He reported receiving threats in May after publishing images and information about local issues and criticizing the municipal administration. He was killed on August 29, 2026, in the municipality of Tehuitzingo, Puebla state, Mexico.
Francisco Alejandro Leyva Aguilar, a columnist for “El Zumbido del Moscardón,” a digital news outlet where he analyzed local politics and reported on violence and alleged links between organized crime and political actors in Oaxaca. He was killed on July 22, 2026, in the municipality of San Pablo Etla, Oaxaca state, Mexico.
Josué Martínez Contreras, director of the digital outlet Noticias San Martín Texmelucan. Known as Josué Mac or “El Jaguar,” he was also a lawyer and teacher. He was killed on July 16, 2026, in front of his 13-year-old son and his mother, at his home in San Lucas Atoyatenco, Puebla state, Mexico.
Cristian Herrera worked for more than two decades at La Opinión de Cúcuta, where he covered judicial and border issues. He was a member of the Board of Directors and a correspondent for the Foundation for Press Freedom (FLIP) in Norte de Santander. He was killed on June 6, 2026, in the city of Cúcuta, Norte de Santander department, Colombia.
Mateo Pérez Rueda, director of El Confidente, in Yarumal. He was reported missing on May 5, 2026. His body was found on May 8 in the municipality of Briceño, Antioquia department, Colombia.
Carlos Humberto Cal Ical practiced journalism through social media. He was killed on April 26, 2026, in the municipality of San Cristóbal Verapaz, Alta Verapaz department, Guatemala.
Osnel Espérance, a journalist with Radio Uni FM. He was kidnapped, along with his colleague Junior Célestin, on March 13, 2026, in downtown Port-au-Prince, Haiti. His whereabouts remain unconfirmed. Unverified reports say that they were killed.
Junior Célestin, a journalist with Radio Television Megastar. He was kidnapped, along with his colleague Osnel Espérance, on March 13, 2026, in downtown Port-au-Prince, Haiti. His whereabouts remain unconfirmed. Unverified reports say that they were killed.
Carlos Castro, director of the Código Norte Veracruz news portal on Facebook. He had reported receiving threats and, in 2024, was granted protective measures that were withdrawn months before his murder. He was killed on January 8, 2026, in the city of Poza Rica, Veracruz state, Mexico.
Killed and missing journalists in 2025
