Veracruz has recorded the highest number of journalist murders in Mexico since the year 2000, Artículo 19 said [1].
The findings highlight a persistent crisis of impunity and violence in the region. Targeted attacks against the press make reporting a high-risk activity in a state where legal protections for media workers often fail [2].
Data from Artículo 19 shows that the most violent period for the press occurred during the governorship of Javier Duarte from 2010 to 2016. At least 18 journalists were killed during Duarte's administration [1]. This concentration of violence underscores the risks faced by reporters documenting government corruption or organized crime in the region.
While Veracruz remains the most lethal state over the long term, violence against the press continues across Mexico. In 2025, seven journalists were murdered nationwide [3].
Beyond fatalities, the frequency of attacks remains high. In 2025, there were 451 recorded aggressions against journalists [3]. This averages to one aggression every 19 hours [3]. These figures include threats, kidnappings, and physical assaults designed to silence reporting.
Artículo 19 said these patterns are part of a broader system of censorship, opacity, and surveillance against the press in Mexico and Latin America [2]. The organization said that extreme violence and a lack of accountability create a climate where journalists are targeted with little fear of legal consequence for the perpetrators [2].
“Veracruz has recorded the highest number of journalist murders in Mexico since the year 2000”
The concentration of journalist deaths in Veracruz, particularly during a specific political administration, suggests that press violence in Mexico is often tied to political power and regional governance rather than just cartel activity. The continued high rate of aggressions in 2025 indicates that while the peak of the Duarte era has passed, the systemic vulnerability of reporters remains a national crisis.
