The murder of Mexican journalist Josús Martínez Contreras has been denounced by Khaled El-Enany, Director-General of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.
On July 16, 2026, José Contreras, the director and founder of the online news organization Noticias San Martín Texmelucan, was shot and killed in front of his son close to his San Martín Texmelucan, Puebla State, home.
El-Enany demanded in a statement released on Thursday that the Mexican government look into the murder and prosecute the perpetrators.
"I denounce Jos.— Martínez Contreras' murder. It is unacceptable to allow crimes against journalists to go unpunished since this gives the offenders more confidence.
"I urge the authorities to look into this crime, prosecute its perpetrators, and take all necessary steps to stop similar attacks," he declared.
In November 2025, Martínez Contreras reportedly uploaded a video claiming that his life was in danger due to his reporting on public services, municipal administration, and security.
"Martínez Contreras was the sixth journalist killed in Mexico in 2026 and the third to be killed in July alone," according to the UNESCO Observatory of Assassinated Journalists.
According to UNESCO, it works to protect journalists by coordinating the execution of the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, conducting worldwide awareness campaigns, and building capacity.