First Journalist Killed in 2026.

On January 8, 2026, Carlos Castro, the 26-year-old director of Código Norte Veracruz, was shot and killed in Poza Rica, marking the first recorded murder of a journalist globally this year. Despite having previously received threats and state protection—which was reportedly withdrawn after he briefly moved out of Veracruz—Castro was targeted while dining with family. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has strongly condemned the attack, calling for an exhaustive investigation that prioritizes his reporting on security as a potential motive. This tragedy underscores the ongoing crisis of violence and impunity in Mexico, which remains one of the world's deadliest countries for media professionals.

©YovaniBernard