Roxana Berenice Guzmán disappearance fuels press‑freedom outcry in Veracruz

Mexican journalist Roxana Berenice Guzmán was seized on 2 June 2026 in southern Veracruz and has not been seen since. Her abduction, captured in a short video of armed men, has sparked concern among media outlets and human‑rights groups.

The cathedral rector of Veracruz, Father Aurelio Mojica Limón, urged authorities to locate her alive, emphasizing the importance of freedom of expression for an informed citizenry. Organizations monitoring press freedom note that Mexico recorded 451 attacks on journalists in the past year, averaging an assault every 20 hours, and seven journalist murders in 2025, highlighting a climate of intimidation and impunity.

Guzmán’s case is cited as part of a broader pattern of censorship, harassment, and forced disappearances targeting reporters in Mexico, prompting calls for a swift investigation and her safe return.