# Mexico journalist murders surge 2026 > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mexico-journalist-murders > Updated: 2026-09-01T06:26:05.000Z. Sources: 64. Developments: 7. The wave of journalist killings that began after Governor Claudia Sheinbaum took office in October 2024 has continued to intensify. A tally released by local media in early July 2026 lists sixteen journalists killed between October 2024 and July 2026, spanning states such as Michoacán, Veracruz, Oaxaca and Puebla. Reporters Without Borders recorded nine murders in 2025 and two further killings in early 2026 – the shooting of Carlos Castro on 8 January in Poza Rica and the abduction and later discovery of Roxana Guzmán’s body in June-July. The summer of 2026 saw at least six additional journalists slain: Juan David Gámez (Nuevo León), Luis Ángel López (Veracruz), Alex Serna (Guerrero), Josué Martínez Contreras (Puebla), and political columnist Francisco Alejandro Leyva Aguilar (Oaxaca), whose death on 22 July sparked a coalition of Oaxaca media organisations forming a common front demanding a full investigation and protection of press freedom. New reports indicate that the violence in 2026 has reached levels not seen since 2011-2012. Regarding the assassination of Leyva, details have emerged that he had spent a year seeking protection following death threats and smear campaigns. Despite reporting threats to state and federal authorities in July 2025, no protection was provided, and a case file from the Federal Attorney General's Office was reportedly lost. Leyva had been planning to appeal to the Inter-American system of human rights before he was killed. Additionally, the killing of Roxana Berenice Guzmán in Veracruz has led to the detention of several local police officers for alleged complicity. Reporters Without Borders has called for an emergency plan to combat systemic impunity. In Oaxaca, journalist Ernesto Rojas Ayuzo has filed formal complaints with the Human Rights Defender of the People of Oaxaca and criminal charges against state officials. ## Claims - Francisco Alejandro Leyva Aguilar was shot dead at a food stall in Oaxaca on 22 July 2026. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Seven journalists have been killed in the first seven months of 2026. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Fourteen journalists have been killed during President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration. (corroborated by 7 sources) - RSF reports an “alarming” increase in journalist murders in Mexico, the worst surge since 2011‑2012. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Roxana Berenice Guzmán was murdered in Veracruz, and several local police officers were detained for alleged complicity. (corroborated by 7 sources) - RSF says the level of journalist murders in Mexico is similar to the period of former President Enrique Peña Nieto (2012‑2018). (corroborated by 6 sources) - RSF criticises Mexican authorities for a total failure to protect journalists, especially in rural southern areas. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Several murdered journalists had previously reported threats but were not provided protection. (corroborated by 5 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-01: Oaxaca authorities raid ASAEO syndicate offices amid violent crime probe Oaxacan authorities are raiding ASAEO syndicate offices and pursuing fugitives linked to extortion, contract killings, and the murder of journalist Alejandro Leyva. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/oaxaca-authorities-raid-asaeo-syndicate-offices-amid-violent-crime-probe ### 2026-08-30: Oaxaca journalist denounces state officials for alleged persecution Oaxacan journalist Ernesto Rojas Ayuzo has denounced state officials for alleged persecution and the fabrication of crimes intended to silence his criticism of the local government. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/woman-in-santo-domingo-seeks-protection-from-violent-ex-partner ### 2026-08-13: Journalist Alejandro Leyva assassinated in Oaxaca Journalist Alejandro Leyva was assassinated in Oaxaca, Mexico, after spending a year seeking protection from death threats linked to his critical reporting on local government. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/journalist-alejandro-leyva-assassinated-in-oaxaca ### 2026-08-02: Oaxaca Journalist Alejandro Leyva Murder Triggers Media Front for Press Freedom Journalist Alejandro Leyva was murdered in Oaxaca on 22 July 2026, the seventh journalist killing in Mexico that year. Oaxaca media groups formed a common front demanding justice, press‑freedom protection and a 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-journalist-alejandro-leyva-murdered-seventh-press-killing-this-year ### 2026-07-25: Mexico sees alarming rise in journalist killings in 2026 RSF says seven journalists killed in Mexico in early 2026 – the worst surge since 2011‑12 – including Alejandro Leyva in Oaxaca and Roxana Guzmán in Veracruz, with families claiming no government contact and a 33 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombia-police-seize-172-kg-of-marijuana-in-crackdown-on-clan-del-golfo ### 2026-07-23: Mexico sees surge of journalist murders in 2026 Six journalists were murdered across Mexico in summer 2026, part of a broader wave of violence that leaves the country among the world’s most dangerous for the press. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-leads-list-of-journalists-killed-in-latin-america-in-2026 ### 2026-07-03: Mexico records dozens of journalist murders since Sheinbaum took office Mexico has logged at least 16 journalist murders since Sheinbaum took office in Oct 2024, with nine killed in 2025 and two more in early 2026, highlighting persistent threats to press freedom. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-records-dozens-of-journalist-murders-since-sheinbaum-took-office --- Cite as: Mexico journalist murders surge 2026. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mexico-journalist-murders