Mexican Journalist who Covered Drug Cartels Murdered, Killer Left a Note
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| Miguel Ángel Beltrán is the ninth journalist killed in Mexico in 2025. |
Mexico: Mexican journalist Miguel Ángel Beltrán's body was found on October 26, 2025, on the side of a highway. This highway connects the northwestern state of Durango to Mazatlán, a resort hub in the neighboring state of Sinaloa. The deceased journalist, who covered drug cartels, was identified by his son, who had last seen his father on Thursday as he was leaving for work.
According to local media, the journalist's body was found wrapped in a blanket, with a message nearby. It read: "For spreading false accusations against the people of Durango." Such notes are often believed to be left by cartels as a warning to those who dare to challenge them.
Reporter Miguel Ángel Beltrán had worked for several media outlets, including Contexto de Durango. He also ran a blog and a TikTok account where he covered crime-related news and other topics. He also published his reports on the La Gaceta Durango page on Facebook.
▶ Fiscalía de Durango confirma el hallazgo sin vida del periodista, Miguel Ángel Beltrán, de 60 años, quien fue visto por última vez el jueves 23 de octubre; el asesinato sería atribuido a grupo del crimen organizado
— Milenio (@Milenio) October 27, 2025
📺 La información con @Carloszup en #MILENIODelMedioDía pic.twitter.com/Xy7gc5SRpz
In his last post, just days before his death on October 22, Beltrán reported on the arrest of a leader of a crime gang called Cabrera Sarabia, which is active in Durango and is an enemy of the powerful Sinaloa and Jalisco Nueva Generación cartels.
Contexto issued a statement saying, "We deeply regret the passing of our colleague, journalist Miguel Ángel Beltrán. The Contexto de Durango team joins his family and friends in their grief and wishes them strength and a speedy acceptance of this irreparable loss."
Turkish Environmental Journalist Dies After Brutal Attack in Istanbul; Media Organizations Condemn, Demand Investigation #HakanTosun #Journalist https://t.co/fTM1mtOyKX
— VOiCE OF MEDIA (@voiceofmedia1) October 15, 2025
Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. Beltrán is the ninth journalist killed in the country this year. 2022 was the deadliest year for journalists in Mexico, with 13 murders. Five journalists were murdered there in 2024. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), more than 150 media professionals have been murdered in Mexico since 1994.
The Inter American Press Association condemned Beltrán's death and urged authorities to "ensure that those responsible for Beltrán's murder are brought to justice."
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) stated in a 2024 report, "Impunity for crimes against the press is rampant in Mexico."
