Mexican journalist killed as violence against the media continues to escalate

POZA RICA, Mexico — Gunmen shot and killed crime reporter Carlos Castro at a restaurant in eastern Mexico on Thursday, marking the latest fatality in one of the world's most dangerous countries for the press.

Castro, who covered the crime beat for the local news outlet Codigo Norte Veracruz, was attacked in the city of Poza Rica in the state of Veracruz. Authorities have not yet made any arrests in connection with the shooting.

The State Commission for the Protection of Journalists has called for a comprehensive investigation into the killing. Veracruz has long been plagued by violence as organized crime groups battle for control of drug trafficking routes.

Mexico remains a peril for media workers, with more than 150 journalists murdered since 1994, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). At least nine journalists have been killed in 2025 alone, following a record high in 2022 when 13 murders were documented.

Most killings and kidnappings of journalists in Mexico remain unsolved. Advocacy groups and reports indicate that government protection mechanisms remain largely ineffective at preventing such attacks.

The murder of Carlos Castro is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a systemic crisis eroding press freedom across Mexico. At the heart of this breakdown is a climate of near-total impunity. When the assassination of a journalist fails to trigger a rigorous investigation or prosecution, it sends a chilling signal that violence against the media carries no consequence—effectively incentivizing further attacks.

Crime reporters like Castro remain the primary targets of this violence, as their work frequently exposes the intersection of cartel operations and official corruption. These killings are rarely mere acts of retribution; they are calculated tactical strikes designed to stifle dissent and establish "zones of silence" where organized crime can operate without public scrutiny. The message left on the body of another journalist in October—"For spreading false accusations"—serves as an overt and direct threat to the broader press corps.

Data from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Amnesty International underscore a critical policy failure: the problem is not a lack of statutory protection frameworks, but rather a catastrophic breakdown in enforcement and a deficit of political will. Until the Mexican government addresses the root cause of this legal impunity, journalists will remain on the front lines of a high-risk environment, and the country’s democratic foundations will continue to deteriorate.

While this incident does not directly impact the business interests of Little Saigon, the nail salon industry, or phở restaurants—nor does it affect remittances or visa categories like F2B or H-1B—it serves as a stark reminder of the vital role of independent journalism. It highlights the profound risks journalists face worldwide to protect the public’s right to stay informed, a necessity that remains critical for the Vietnamese diaspora.