The lifeless body of journalist Roxana Guzman, director of a local Mexican media outlet, kidnapped from her home in mid-June, has been found, the Veracruz prosecutor’s office announced on Friday (east).
Experts concluded that a body found in a house “corresponded to that of the journalist”, indicated in a press release the regional prosecutor’s office, relieved of the investigation in favor of the federal prosecutor’s office after the excitement caused by her kidnapping.
Two hooded men had kidnapped Ms. Guzman from her home, according to images from a 35-second video widely broadcast in Mexico.
A man attacks the door of the journalist’s home with a sledgehammer then another, armed with a gun, finishes breaking down the door with kicks. The video then ends.
The investigation led to the arrest of eight people charged with homicide, including four municipal police officers who “provided resources, food and logistical support to the operations of the criminal group” which had kidnapped the journalist, according to the prosecution.
Veracruz is one of the states with the highest number of crimes against journalists. A news specialist, Luis Angel Lopez Valdez, was shot dead there in June in a taxi.
However, he benefited from protection measures from local authorities and had received threats because of his journalistic work.
Ms. Guzman is the third journalist killed in Veracruz in 2026. In January, Carlos Castro was shot and killed in a restaurant.
Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries in which to work as a journalist, with more than 150 professionals murdered since 1994, according to the organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF). In 2025, nine journalists were killed there, according to the organization.
