UNESCO condemns killing of Mexican journalist, calls for justice

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The Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, Khaled El-Enany, has condemned the killing of Mexican journalist Josué Martínez Contreras.

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Martínez Contreras, founder and director of the digital news outlet Noticias San Martín Texmelucan, was shot dead in front of his son near his home in San Martín Texmelucan, Puebla State, on July 16, 2026.

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In a statement issued on Thursday, El-Enany called for an investigation into the killing and urged the Mexican authorities to bring those responsible to justice.

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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.

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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,” he said.

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According to reports, Martínez Contreras had posted a video in November 2025 alleging that his life was under threat because of his coverage of security, municipal administration and public services.

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The UNESCO Observatory of Killed Journalists said “Martínez Contreras was the sixth journalist killed in Mexico in 2026 and the third to be killed in July alone.”

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UNESCO says it promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness campaigns, capacity building and coordination of the implementation of the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.

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