Mexico: Killing of journalists condemned - at least five murdered in six weeks
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‘The appalling crimes against journalists in Mexico are not isolated, but part of a pattern that threatens freedom of expression itself. Journalists must be able to work without fear of violence. The Mexican Government have an obligation to ensure that every attack is investigated promptly, independently and thoroughly, that those responsible are brought to justice,’ said Burhan Sonmez, President of PEN International
28 July 2026 - PEN International expresses its profound alarm at the worsening violence against journalists in Mexico. The succession of murders across several states in recent weeks reflects a severe deterioration of the country’s freedom of expression environment and reinforces longstanding concerns regarding impunity, inadequate protection measures and the government’s failure to prevent attacks against journalists. The organisation urges the Mexican authorities to treat this situation as a national emergency for freedom of expression and to adopt immediate measures to guarantee the safety of journalists, columnists, writers and media workers.
On 22 July 2026, journalist Francisco Alejandro Leyva Aguilar was shot dead in San Pablo Etla, Oaxaca. A journalist with more than three decades of experience, Leyva Aguilar was one of Oaxaca's best-known political columnists and journalists. He was the author of the widely read opinion column El Zumbido del Moscardón (The Buzzing of the Bumblebee), a political analyst, former Director General of the Oaxaca Radio and Television Corporation (CORTV), and a frequent commentator on corruption, organised crime, abuse of power and public security. Prior to his murder, Leyva had reported receiving threats, harassment and intimidation related to his journalistic work.
On 16 July 2026, journalist Josué Martínez Contreras was murdered near his home in San Martín Texmelucan, Puebla. He was the founder and director of Noticias San Martín Texmelucan, an independent local news outlet through which he coordinated reporting on public security, crime, local government and community affairs. Months before his killing, Martínez publicly denounced alleged irregularities involving local authorities and reported having received threats.
On 18 July 2026, authorities arrested Javier Montalvo Juárez, a public servant, on allegations of attempting to bribe state investigators conducting searches related to the murder of Josué Martínez. Prosecutors stated that all lines of investigation remain open under protocols for crimes against journalists and human rights defenders, including whether Martínez's murder was linked to his journalistic work.
Environmental journalist Manuel Alejandro Mora Serna, widely known as Alex Serna, disappeared on 20 June 2026, on 3 July was reported found dead in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, showing signs of torture, according to the local authorities. Serna combined investigative journalism, environmental reporting and digital content creation. His investigations focused on alleged environmental crimes, illegal water extraction, deforestation, irregular construction projects and corruption involving local authorities and private interests.
The murders of Francisco Alejandro Leyva Aguilar, Josué Martínez Contreras and Alex Serna follow the recent killings of Luis Ángel López Valdez in Veracruz and Roxana Berenice Guzmán Ramírez, whose remains were identified in early July after her abduction.
In a country in a time of peace, the killing of five journalists within such a short period would be considered a national crisis and trigger an extraordinary institutional response. In Mexico, however, these attacks occur against a longstanding backdrop of impunity, increasing legal harassment, public stigmatisation of critical journalists, abusive judicial proceedings and hostile rhetoric against independent media.
PEN International calls on the Mexican authorities to conduct prompt, independent, impartial and exhaustive investigations into the murders, and to strengthen the Federal Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists, ensuring timely and effective preventive measures. The organisation also calls on the authorities to refrain from rhetoric or official actions that stigmatise journalists, writers and independent media, and instead publicly recognise the essential role of a free press in the society.
Note to Editors
For more information, please contact Alicia Quiñones, Head of the Americas Region, PEN International: [email protected]
For media queries, please contact Sabrina Tucci, Head of Communications and Campaigns, PEN International: [email protected]