Iran Villarreal, director of the 'Observatorio Ciudadano' media outlet, was found dead.

Irán Villarreal was kidnapped and his body appeared on a highway in Guanajuato

On  March 14, authorities in Guanajuato found the body of  Irán Villarreal Belmont, director of the digital media "Observatorio Ciudadano" San Luis de la Paz.

The journalist had been reported missing on March 13, after armed men deprived him of his freedom.

The discovery sparked outrage among activists and journalists, who pointed out that the State still fails to guarantee safety for the press in Mexico.

Initial investigations suggest that  Villarreal Belmont  was intercepted by a group of armed individuals when he was leaving his home. Witnesses mention that he was forcibly put into a vehicle without license plates, with no arrests made in the case so far.

Villarreal denounced corruption and sensitive issues in the region

The communicator was known for his investigative work and denunciation of corruption and social injustices in  San Luis de la Paz.

In his latest publications, he exposed alleged frauds in Xichú and other localities, which would have caused discomfort in certain sectors of local power and criminal groups present in the area.

Villarreal had warned on several occasions about threats received due to his journalistic work, without the authorities providing him protection.

Organized crime has increased its control over different regions of Guanajuato, and independent journalism has become a frequent target of attacks.

Authorities initiated an investigation, but without clear progress

The Guanajuato Prosecutor's Office activated the Unified Protocol for the Investigation of Crimes against Freedom of Expression.

However, so far there is no information about those responsible nor significant progress in the investigation, which generates concern among the journalistic community.

The mayor of San Luis de la Paz, Rubén Urías Ruiz, condemned the murder and sent his condolences to Villarreal's family.

Meanwhile, the leadership of Movimiento Ciudadano in Guanajuato, a party to which Villarreal was linked as a former councilor candidate, demanded justice and called for the clarification of the crime.

Mexico remains one of the most dangerous countries for journalists

The murder of Irán Villarreal highlights the lack of guarantees for the press in Mexico, where attacks and homicides against journalists continue to rise.

In Guanajuato, organized crime continues to extend its dominance without state or federal authorities managing to stop the violence.

According to data from human rights organizations, at least 17 journalists have been murdered in Mexico so far this year.

Meanwhile, impunity continues to protect those responsible for these attacks, leaving society in a state of vulnerability and uncertainty.