texas-moody

Violence Against Journalists

Crime reporter killed in Veracruz, Mexico, was under protection mechanism in 2024

"On Thursday night, Jan. 8, a crime reporter identified as Carlos Leonardo Castro, who worked for the news website Código Norte Veracruz and previously for Noreste, was shot and killed while inside a restaurant called La Troguebirria [in Poza Rica, Veracruz]. In 2024, the reporter had a protection mechanism in place, according to colleagues. [...] […]

Journalist attacked while covering death in Chincha, Peru

"Journalist Eric Hurtado was physically assaulted while covering a news story in the province of Chincha, [Peru], in a new incident that once again raises concerns about the safety of the press in public spaces. The attack occurred on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, on San Carlos Street, behind the Santa Ana school. According to the […]

14 journalists detained in Venezuela as legislators begin new session following US seizure of Maduro

"The National Union of Press Workers (SNTP, for its Spanish acronym) of Venezuela reported on Monday [Jan. 5] that 14 previously detained journalists have been released, on a day when the National Assembly began its 2026-2031 legislative session in Caracas. Via X (formerly Twitter), the SNTP said that one of the journalists was deported and […]

Protesters harass and attack reporters in La Paz, Bolivia

"Reporters from television channels and print media, as well as cameramen, were harassed, verbally assaulted, and subjected to physical attacks by protesters organized by the Bolivian Workers' Center (COB, for its Spanish acronym) [the country's chief train union federation], who staged marches and blockades in the city of La Paz this Monday [Jan. 5]. A […]

Peruvian journalist Mitzar Castillejos dies two weeks after being shot

"A Peruvian journalist who was recently shot by hitmen died this Friday [Dec. 26] in a hospital in Lima, a press guild reported, bringing to four the number of reporters killed by organized crime this year in the South American country. Mitzar Castillejos, 34, was shot on Dec. 12 as he left his home in […]

Gunman shoots at car of Peruvian journalist

"Journalist Anthony Rumiche of the news outlet Prensa Callao TV was the target of an attack on the night of Friday, Dec. 19. Security cameras captured the scene. The attacker fired at point-blank range and fled while two motorcycles moved slowly, seemingly surveying the area. Minutes later, the car alarm and the sound of the […]

Rory Branker disappeared; joins 5 other news professionals detained in Venezuela

"A contributor to the digital outlet La Patilla, Rory Branker, 43, was arrested on Feb. 20, 2025, in Caracas by officers of the Bolivarian Intelligence Service (SEBIN, for its initials in Spanish) as he was leaving his home. He spent 206 days incommunicado before his family was finally allowed to see him in a holding cell of the […]

Man sentenced to 14 years for attempted murder of Mexican journalist Ciro Gómez Leyva

"Armando Escárcega Valdéz, also known as 'El Patrón,' acknowledged to federal court authorities that he led a criminal cell responsible for the attack on journalist Ciro Gómez Leyva, which was carried out on the orders of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG, for its Spanish acronym). The admission of guilt came as part of an […]

Guatemalan reporter found dead after he reported threats

“Journalist Jorge Agustín Zapeta Aguilar, 56, was found dead Tuesday afternoon in San Pablo Jocopilas, in Guatemala’s Suchitepéquez department, days after he was reported missing. Local media said his body was found along the road leading to the El Aguacatal area of the municipality, on the roadside near a coffee plantation. In a statement, the […]

Journalists fight for government transparency amid Haiti’s insecurity

"Violent attacks and threats waged by a coalition of militarized gangs are among the many risks Haitian journalists face to report the news amid intensifying insecurity in the country’s capital city, Port-au-Prince. Yet as a rotating cast of transitional leaders hope to restore order across the Caribbean nation, journalists say a lack of transparency and hostility […]

Journalist Mitzar Castillejos survives shooting in central Peru

"Around 1:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, two hitmen on a motorcycle attempted to kill journalist Mitzar Bato Castillejos Tenazoa, host of Radio Latín Plus 107.7 FM and director of the social media news portal Bato a Informarte Noticias. The attack occurred as he was heading to work in the [Peruvian] city of Aguaytía, in […]