UNESCO condemns killing of Mexican journalist, calls for justice

The Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Khaled El-Enany, has strongly condemned the killing of Mexican journalist Josué Martínez Contreras. Contreras, who founded and directed the digital news outlet Noticias San Martín Texmelucan, was fatally shot in front of his son near his home in San Martín Texmelucan, Puebla State, on July 16, 2026.

In a statement released on Thursday, El-Enany called for an immediate investigation into the journalist's death. He urged Mexican authorities to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, highlighting that impunity for crimes against journalists emboldens perpetrators.

"I condemn the killing of Josué Martínez Contreras. Impunity for crimes against journalists must not be tolerated, as it only emboldens the perpetrators," El-Enany stated. He further urged the authorities to "investigate this crime and bring its authors to justice, and to do everything within their powers to prevent such attacks."

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I condemn the killing of Josué Martínez Contreras. Impunity for crimes against journalists must not be tolerated, as it only emboldens the perpetrators.

Reports indicate that Martínez Contreras had previously expressed concerns for his safety. In November 2025, he posted a video alleging that his life was under threat due to his reporting on security issues, municipal administration, and public services. The UNESCO Observatory of Killed Journalists noted that Martínez Contreras was the sixth journalist killed in Mexico in 2026 and the third to be killed in July alone.

UNESCO actively promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness campaigns, capacity-building initiatives, and coordinating the implementation of the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.

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I call on the authorities to investigate this crime and bring its authors to justice, and to do everything within their powers to prevent such attacks.