Mexican journalist Josue Martinez, known as The Jaguar, killed in Puebla

Josue Martinez, a Mexican journalist who covered security and major local events in Puebla, was shot dead Thursday in the central Mexican state where he worked, the Puebla state government said.

Martinez directed Noticias San Martin Texmelucan, according to the press freedom group Article 19. The group said he focused on security reporting and urged authorities to investigate whether his journalism was the motive for the killing.

The Puebla state government condemned the attack and asked prosecutors to investigate the case and identify those responsible. The state prosecutor's office said in a statement that the case would be examined with a strengthened focus on journalist protection and that all investigative paths would be pursued.

Local outlet El Sol de Puebla reported that Martinez was killed near his home by two attackers on a motorcycle. The outlet said his 13-year-old son was nearby and called police.

Martinez was sometimes known as “The Jaguar,” according to his Facebook profile. He had trained as a lawyer before moving into journalism.

Press group calls for journalist angle in probe

Article 19 said Martinez’s work should be treated as a possible motive as authorities investigate. The group’s call comes amid continued concern from press freedom organizations over violence against reporters in Mexico, especially those covering crime and public security.

The Puebla government did not announce arrests in connection with Martinez’s killing in its statement. The prosecutor’s office did not name suspects in the statement cited.

Martinez’s killing follows other recent cases involving journalists in Mexico. In early July, journalist Roxana Guzman, the director of a local media outlet, was found dead in Veracruz after being kidnapped from her home in mid-June. Reporter Luis Angel Lopez Valdez was killed in Veracruz around the time Guzman was abducted, and journalist Carlos Castro was shot dead in Veracruz in January.

Mexico remains dangerous for reporters

Reporters Without Borders has described Mexico as one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists. In a December report, the watchdog said at least nine journalists were killed in Mexico in 2025, making it the second most dangerous country for reporters that year.

The organization said it had recorded more than 150 journalists killed in Mexico since 1994 and called for urgent investigations and stronger protections for the press.

Mexico’s deadliest year for journalists was 2022, when 13 were killed, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists and Article 19.

A 2024 report by the Committee to Protect Journalists and Amnesty International found flaws in Mexico’s state-backed system for protecting journalists. The groups said impunity is common in crimes against the press.

Associated Press reporting contributed to the account of Martinez’s killing.

This story draws on original reporting from CBS News.