UNESCO Condemns Killing of Journalist Josué Martínez Contreras

Khaled El-Enany, the Director-General of UNESCO, condemned the killing of Mexican journalist Josué Martínez Contreras, who was shot dead on July 16, 2026, in front of his son in San Martín Texmelucan, Puebla State. In a statement released on Thursday, El-Enany urged Mexican authorities to investigate the murder and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, emphasizing that impunity for crimes against journalists must not be tolerated.

Martínez Contreras was the founder and director of the digital news outlet Noticias San Martín Texmelucan and had previously expressed concerns for his safety due to his reporting on security, municipal administration, and public services. Reports indicate that he was the sixth journalist killed in Mexico in 2026 and the third in July alone.

UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness campaigns and the implementation of the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.