MEXICO CITY — Mexican journalist Francisco Leyva was discovered dead Wednesday in the southern state of Oaxaca, according to the state’s Attorney General’s Office, making him at least the fourth journalist killed in Mexico since June.
Oaxaca’s state prosecutor’s office has launched a formal investigation into the killing and announced it has requested assistance from the Special Prosecutor’s Office for Crimes Against Freedom of Expression, according to an official statement.
Leyva, who was 60 years old, focused much of his reporting on exposing government corruption and violence tied to criminal organizations active in Oaxaca.
Oaxaca Governor Salomon Jara addressed the killing on social media, writing: “He was a journalist critical of our government, like many other journalists who exercise their right every day to question, point out issues, and freely express their opinions.”
Mexico is widely regarded as one of the most perilous countries in the world for journalists working outside of active conflict zones. Press freedom organizations note that the overwhelming majority of crimes committed against journalists in the country go without prosecution.
Earlier this month, Mexican officials confirmed that remains discovered on a property in the eastern state of Veracruz were those of journalist Roxana Guzmán, who had been abducted by an armed group approximately one month prior.
The organization Article 19 reports that journalists Luis Angel Lopez and Manuel Moreno were also killed in June in relation to their work as reporters.
At least five journalists have lost their lives in Mexico so far in 2026. Article 19 data shows that seven journalists were killed while doing their jobs last year. The press freedom group Reporters Without Borders recorded nine journalist killings in Mexico last year, making it the deadliest year for the press in the country over the past three years.
