Murder of journalist Beltrán in Ecuador – he had reported corruption
Tomás Beltrán, owner of the news website Calcetines, was shot by armed gunmen outside his home in Manabí province. He had already been enrolled in the witness protection programme of the General Prosecutor's Office.
Murder of journalist outside his home in Manabí
Journalist Tomás Beltrán was murdered on Sunday evening by armed gunmen who were waiting outside his home in Manabí province, Ecuador. According to Ta Nea, the perpetrators set up an ambush and shot him repeatedly as soon as he stepped out of his car, as reported by Vistazo.
The news was confirmed by Fundamedios, a non-governmental organisation for press freedom in Ecuador.
Beltrán was the owner of the news website Calcetines. In April he had reported the illegal enrichment of the mayor of the city of Bolívar, Lady Munios, and subsequently received death threats. During the same period, two of his colleagues had been murdered.
From 2025, Beltrán was enrolled in the System for the Protection of Victims and Witnesses of the General Prosecutor's Office of Ecuador, according to ANA-BPA.
The Inter American Press Association condemned the murder and called for "immediate and thorough investigation" to identify those responsible, reminding that the victim had faced a "history of threats and intimidation".
The organisation Journalists Without Chains reports that six journalists were murdered in Ecuador in 2025. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranks the country 125th globally, out of 180 countries, in terms of press freedom.
Source: Ta Nea