Background on Miguel Ángel Beltrán Martínez
Miguel Ángel Beltrán Martínez, a 60-year-old journalist from Durango, was confirmed dead by the Fiscalía General del Estado de Durango. His body was discovered on October 25, wrapped in a blanket near kilometer 30 of the Durango-Mazatlán highway, in the Río Chico area.
Beltrán’s Career and Recent Work
Known in social media as “El Capo” on TikTok and “La Gazzeta Dgo” on Facebook, Beltrán had a long career as a sports journalist and collaborator for local media outlets like La Voz de Durango and Contexto. In recent years, he transitioned to digital platforms, publishing videos and reports on criminal activities and citizen complaints. Recently, he had been warning about rising violence in the region and the presence of criminal groups in Durango.
Last Days and Discovery
Beltrán was last seen on October 23, according to his son who identified the body at the Servicio Médico Forense (Semefo). The state fiscalía has not yet provided details on the investigation’s progress, but confirmed that the case is under scrutiny.
Reactions and Calls for Justice
Artículo 19 México y Centroamérica is documenting the killing and demanding a thorough investigation by FGE Durango, adhering to the “Homologated Protocol for Investigating Crimes against Freedom of Expression.” They also urged the Federal Mechanism for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists to ensure the safety of Beltrán’s family.
The Sociedad Interamericana de Prensa (SIP) strongly condemned the murder, extending solidarity to Beltrán’s family, colleagues, and friends. SIP President Pierre Manigault called for urgent action from authorities to prevent the case from remaining unsolved.
Reporteros Sin Fronteras (RSF) noted that Beltrán’s death makes 2025 the deadliest year for Mexican journalists since 2022, with nine killed so far. RSF requested the Fiscalía Especial para la Atención de Delitos cometidos contra la Libertad de Expresión (Feadle) to take on the case.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Miguel Ángel Beltrán Martínez? A 60-year-old journalist from Durango, known for his work as a sports journalist and later transitioning to digital platforms covering criminal activities and citizen complaints.
- When and where was his body found? His body was discovered on October 25, wrapped in a blanket near kilometer 30 of the Durango-Mazatlán highway, in the Río Chico area.
- What was his recent work about? Beltrán had been warning about rising violence in the Durango region and the presence of criminal groups.
- What reactions have there been to his death? Various organizations, including Artículo 19 México y Centroamérica, SIP, and RSF, have condemned the murder and called for thorough investigations and justice.
