A Mexican journalist who reported on drug cartels was found dead on a highway Saturday with a note placed next to his body, the news agency he worked for reported.
The body of Miguel Ángel Beltrán was found wrapped in a blanket on the highway connecting Durango state to Mazatlan, a city in cartel-infested Sinaloa state, news site Context de Durango reported.
The newspaper reported that the journalist’s identity was confirmed by his son, who last saw him when he left for work on Thursday.
Local media reported that a note was found next to his body that read, “For spreading false accusations against the people of Durango.”
CNN has not been able to independently verify the contents of the messages, but cartels often leave such notes as a warning to anyone who dares to cross their messages.
CNN has contacted the State Attorney’s Office for more information.
Mr. Beltran has worked for various media outlets, including Contexto. He also ran a blog and a TikTok account where he covered crime-related news and other topics.
Days before his death, he posted a video on TikTok about the arrest of a suspected gang leader.
“We deeply regret the passing of our colleague journalist Miguel Ángel Beltrán,” Context said in a statement. “The team at Context de Durango joins in the overwhelming grief of his family and friends and prays that they will be strong and soon come to terms with this irreparable loss.”
According to Reporters Without Borders, Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists.
The group said Beltran was the ninth journalist killed in the country this year.
The American Press Association condemned Beltran’s death and called on authorities to “ensure that his murder goes unpunished.”
