For more than a decade, Mexico has been considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. So far in 2025, seven journalists have been killed, the highest number since 2022, when 12 journalists were murdered.
The most recent case involved Miguel Ángel Beltrán, who was killed in the state of Durango on Oct. 25 after being targeted by a criminal group, according to evidence. Beltrán, known for covering crime-related issues on social media, was found with a message near his body that read, "For spreading false accusations against the people of Durango."
Beltrán's body was found along a highway connecting Durango with Mazatlán, in the neighboring state of Sinaloa. In his last video posted online, he reported on criminal groups operating in the region, suggesting he may have been targeted for his investigative work.
On Oct. 22, Beltrán reported the arrest of a leader of a crime cell called the Cabrera Sarabia, which operates in Durango and is a rival of the powerful Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels.
According to Reporters Without Borders, there is no evidence that Beltrán had reported threats or was enrolled in Mexico's Federal Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists, which provides state protection for those considered at risk.
Beltrán's murder adds to a troubling pattern in Durango. Since 2009, at least three other journalists have been killed in the state for carrying out their work, the organization reported.
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