A crime journalist has been killed in the Mexican state of Veracruz just hours before the opening of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in what has renewed concerns over press safety in the country.
The victim, Luis Ángel López Valdez, worked with the Vanguardia de Veracruz newspaper as a crime reporter. He was reportedly shot dead on Thursday, June 11, in the city of Poza Rica, northern Veracruz.
According to reports, armed men intercepted the vehicle he was travelling in during the early hours of the morning. Investigators are also looking into reports that the journalist had received threats prior to the attack.
The University of Guadalajara’s Observatory on Freedom of Expression and Violence against Journalists condemned the killing, describing it as a serious attack on press freedom. The group warned that violence against journalists undermines democracy and the public’s right to information.
Mexico has long been regarded as one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, particularly those covering crime and politics. According to Reporters Without Borders, more than 150 journalists have been killed in the country since 2000, with several others still missing.
Another journalist, Carlos Castro, was also killed earlier in January in Veracruz, highlighting ongoing risks faced by media workers in the region.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the latest killing, even as Mexico continues its World Cup hosting duties across multiple cities including Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.