Mexico Ranks Third in Global Journalist Killings as CPJ Reports Record Year

Mexico City — Mexico recorded at least six journalist murders in 2025, placing it third globally in a year that saw a record 129 journalists killed worldwide, according to a new report from the Committee to Protect Journalists.

The CPJ’s 2025 report shows Mexico’s six killings represent an increase from five in 2024 and two in 2023. The country trails only Israel and Gaza, where 86 journalists died in the conflict, and Sudan, which recorded nine killings.

Across Latin America, seven journalists were murdered in 2025 — two each in Guatemala and Peru, and one each in Colombia, Ecuador, and Honduras — barely exceeding Mexico’s total. The Russia-Ukraine conflict claimed four journalist lives, two fewer than Mexico.

The report highlights that journalism worldwide is becoming increasingly dangerous, with press freedom and journalist safety showing sustained deterioration. In 2025, the number of journalists imprisoned or subjected to legal abuse also reached a historic high.

Regarding Mexico, the CPJ emphasized “a culture of impunity and persistent failure to punish those who kill journalists,” “weakness of the rule of law,” and “criminal groups that operate with impunity.” The organization noted that, along with India, at least one journalist has been killed in Mexico in each of the last 10 years.