6 journalists killed and 2 missing in 2026
Colombia 2, Guatemala 1, Mexico 3
2 missing in Haiti
Francisco Alejandro Leyva Aguilar wrote the column “El Zumbido del Moscardón,” where he analyzed local politics, denounced violence, and exposed alleged links between organized crime and political actors in Oaxaca. He was killed on July 22, 2026, in San Pablo Etla, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Josué Martínez Contreras was 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, Mexico.
Cristian Herrera, worked for more than two decades at the newspaper La Opinión de Cúcuta, covering 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, was reported missing on May 5. His body was found on May 8 in the municipality of Briceño, Antioquia Department, Colombia.
Carlos Humberto Cal Ical worked as a journalist 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 for Radio Uni FM, was kidnapped along with his colleague Junior Célestine on March 13, 2026, in downtown Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Unconfirmed reports indicate they may have been killed.
Junior Célestin, a journalist for Radio Télévision Megastar, was kidnapped along with his colleague Osnel Espérance on March 13, 2026, in downtown Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Unconfirmed reports indicate they may have been killed.
Carlos Castro, director of the Código Norte Veracruz news portal on Facebook, was killed on January 8, 2026, in the city of Poza Rica, Veracruz state, Mexico. He had reported threats and received protective measures in 2024, which were withdrawn months before the crime.
Killed and missing journalists in 2025
