Mexican Journalist Covering Drug Cartels Found Murdered Near Durango

Miguel Ángel Beltrán, a Mexican journalist known for reporting on drug cartels, was found murdered on a highway connecting Durango and Mazatlán, with a note beside his body accusing him of spreading false accusations against the people of Durango. Beltrán had worked for various media outlets and actively reported crime-related news on social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook, recently covering the arrest of a gang leader linked to violent cartel rivalries. His death highlights the extreme dangers faced by journalists in Mexico, a country considered one of the most perilous for media workers due to cartel violence and corruption. Beltrán is the ninth journalist killed in Mexico this year, underscoring ongoing threats to press freedom and the need for thorough investigations to hold perpetrators accountable. Organizations such as Reporters Without Borders and the Inter American Press Association have condemned the killing and called for justice. The incident reflects a broader pattern of violence against journalists covering organized crime in Mexico, often met with impunity.