“When a journalist reports threats and is later murdered, any investigation must look beyond the final gunshot. Impunity does not begin when a court fails to deliver justice: it can take root much earlier, when warning signs are ignored. We demand investigations that reach those who ordered the crimes and examine possible institutional responsibility. Without this, states will continue to count victims rather than preventing murders.” Jennifer Clement, President Emerita of PEN International.
2 November 2026: On the Day of the Dead and the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, PEN International warns of an alarming pattern across the Americas: journalists murdered after reporting threats, covering corruption or investigating those who wield power in their own communities.
Over the past twelve months, PEN International’s preliminary findings include at least 17 cases of journalists being murdered in circumstances potentially linked to their reporting, across at least six countries: Mexico (6), Colombia (2), Guatemala (4), Haiti (1), Peru (2) and Ecuador (2).
Beyond the figures, the cases reveal a trend that demands attention: the vulnerability of local, community and Indigenous journalists investigating matters of public interest in places where corruption and political power may be intertwined. Their investigations covered issues ranging from the exploitation of natural resources to criminal violence, abuses of authority and living conditions in communities that are frequently overlooked.
Violence against journalists raises questions about state conduct and the persistence of impunity. It deprives families of their right to truth and justice, enables further attacks, and fosters fear and self-censorship. It can also lead to other forms of persecution and prevent investigations from being published.
The fact that several documented cases involved prior threats, including against journalists who had been granted state protection, raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of existing protection and response mechanisms.
PEN International urges states across the region to investigate the murders thoroughly, including examining possible links to the victims’ journalistic work; bring both the perpetrators and those who ordered the crimes to justice; strengthen protection mechanisms, particularly for local and community journalists; and ensure truth, justice and reparations for the victims’ families.
In Mexico, PEN San Miguel has created a Día de Muertos altar honouring the six journalists murdered in the country between Día de Muertos 2025 and 2026, alongside the many killed in previous years.
This Day of the Dead, we remember their names, their stories and the investigations left unfinished. Because murdering a journalist does not mean burying the truth.
FIVE JOURNALISTS, FIVE STORIES LEFT UNFINISHED
Cristian Herrera Niño (Colombia). A crime reporter with more than twenty years of experience in Cúcuta. He worked for the newspaper La Opinión and later founded the digital outlets Cúcuta Real and Cúcuta al Rojo Vivo, specialising in security, public order and allegations of corruption. He had been a FLIP correspondent since 2019 and a member of its Board of Directors. In 2004, threats forced him to leave the country; he survived an assassination attempt in 2017 and had experienced at least 17 recorded attacks since 2014. He was murdered on 6 June 2026, despite having protection measures in place.
Evelio Lisandro López Sánchez (Guatemala). An Indigenous Maya Mam journalist, teacher and sports reporter, and founder of the community digital outlet Huehue Es Noticias HNT2. Originally from San Pedro Necta, Huehuetenango, he covered local events and community affairs in his town. He was a member of the Huehuetenango Press Association (APEHUE). Since 2021, he had received threats linked to his reporting and had spoken publicly about them again shortly before his death. He was murdered on 2 October 2026 while returning home.
Francisco Alejandro Leyva Aguilar (Mexico). A journalist, writer and political columnist from Oaxaca with more than three decades of experience. He held senior positions at various media organisations. He authored the popular opinion column El Zumbido del Moscardón, was a political analyst and former director-general of the Oaxaca Radio and Television Corporation (CORTV). He covered politics, corruption and government affairs. He had reported death threats, judicial harassment and smear campaigns. He was murdered on 22 July 2026 in San Pablo Etla, Oaxaca.
Manuel Alejandro Moreno Serna, known as Álex Serna (Mexico). An environmental journalist working in digital media in Guerrero. He investigated environmental conflicts and alleged land-related irregularities, as well as pollution, irregular water extraction, logging and alleged corruption involving companies and local authorities. In March, he shared death threats received through social media. He disappeared on 20 June 2026, and his body was found on 22 June 2026.
Roxana Berenice Guzmán Ramírez (Mexico). A print journalist who worked for Diario del Istmo and later became director of Pulso Informativo del Sureste in Veracruz. She had temporarily left Veracruz for security reasons. She was abducted on 2 June 2026 in Nanchital, Veracruz, and her remains were found on 3 July 2026 on a ranch in Moloacán, Veracruz.
Journalists killed in the Americas in the past twelve months
31 October 2025 - 31 October 2026
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Mateo Pérez Rueda: Disappeared: 5 May 2026 / Body found: 8 May 2026 / Antioquia.
Cristian Herrera Niño: Murdered: 6 June 2026 / Cúcuta, Norte de Santander.
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Robinson del Pezo: Murdered: 20 November 2025 / Santa Elena, Ecuador
René Manuel Cobos Merchán: Murdered: 23 August 2026 / Yaguachi, Guayas.
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Jorge Zapeta Aguilar: Murdered: 16 December 2025 / San Pablo Jocopilas.
Carlos Humberto Cal Ical: Murdered: 26 April 2026 / San Cristóbal Verapaz, Alta Verapaz.
Emerson Dinael Colindres: Murdered: 1 August 2026 / Villa Canales, Guatemala.
Evelio Lisandro López Sánchez: Murdered: 2 October 2026 / San Pedro Necta, Huehuetenango.
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Joseph Willard Vancol: Disappeared: 20 August 2026 / Body found: 9 September 2026 / Gressier.
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Carlos Leonardo Ramírez Castro: Murdered: 8 January 2026 / Poza Rica, Veracruz.
Roxana Berenice Guzmán Ramírez: Disappeared: 2 June 2026 / Body found: 3 July 2026 / Veracruz.
Luis Ángel López Valdez: Murdered: 11 June 2026 / Poza Rica, Veracruz.
Manuel Alejandro Moreno Serna (Álex Serna): Disappeared: 20 June 2026 / Body found: 22 June 2026 / Guerrero.
Josué Martínez Contreras: Murdered: 16 July 2026 / San Martín Texmelucan, Puebla.
Francisco Alejandro Leyva Aguilar: Murdered: 22 July 2026 / San Pablo Etla, Oaxaca.
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Juan Fernando Núñez Guevara: Murdered: 6 December 2025 / La libertad, Perú.
Mitzar Bato Castillejos Tenazoa: Murdered: 26 December 2025, Aguaytía, Perú.
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]