Mexico 2nd Deadliest for Journalists in 2025

Mexico City, Mexico — Mexico has become the second-deadliest country in the world for journalists in 2025, with six murders recorded so far this year, according to data from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Only Palestine, where 11 journalists have been killed amid its ongoing conflict with Israel, ranks higher.

A Deadly Trend Outpacing War Zones

The UNESCO Observatory on Killed Journalists reveals that Mexico’s death toll surpasses that of nations embroiled in armed conflicts, including Ukraine (four journalists killed), Russia (one), and Israel (none in 2025). Even Iraq, which holds the grim record of 204 journalist killings since UNESCO began tracking in 1993, has reported fewer deaths this year than Mexico.

The most recent victim, José Carlos González Herrera, was shot dead on May 15 by unidentified assailants in Acapulco, Guerrero. González Herrera, editor of the social media news page El Guerrero, Opinión Ciudadana, had survived a previous attack in 2023. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay condemned the killing, stating, “I demand a swift and transparent investigation to ensure those responsible face justice. Impunity for these crimes only emboldens those who seek to silence journalists.”

Unresolved Cases and Systemic Violence

Earlier this year, on March 14, Raúl Irán Villarreal Belmont—founder of the digital outlet Observatorio Ciudadano—was found shot dead near San Luis de la Paz, Guanajuato, after being kidnapped by armed men. Azoulay similarly called for justice, but the state prosecutor’s office has yet to report progress.

Twelve days prior, on March 2, 28-year-old Kristián Uriel Martínez Zavala, director of El Silaoense Mx., was ambushed by gunmen on a motorcycle in Silao, Guanajuato. Despite receiving prior threats and government protection, his case remains unresolved.

The body of Jesús Alberto Camacho Rodríguez, a journalist who disappeared between 2018 and 2020, was discovered on February 20 in Culiacán, Sinaloa. He had worked for outlets including El Imparcial and Tribuna del Yaqui.

A Persistent Crisis

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) identifies Mexico as the world’s most dangerous country for journalists, citing systemic threats and impunity. “Journalists covering sensitive topics like politics or crime, especially at the local level, face warnings, threats, or outright murder,” RSF stated in its latest report.

With seven journalists killed in 2024 and six already in 2025, Mexico’s crisis shows no signs of abating.