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Ecuadorian journalist is shot dead while under witness protection
Ecuadorian journalist Tomas Beltran was shot dead as he drove into his home in Calceta, while enrolled in a witness protection programme. He had reported threats after accusing Bolivar’s mayor of corruption, and press groups say his killing demands a swift investigation.
Beltran ran the digital news outlet Calcetines and had been under protection since 2025. Two colleagues were killed in April, after which he received threatening leaflets; his car had also been attacked with chemicals in 2023. The Inter American Press Association cited this history of intimidation, while an Ecuadorian foundation recorded six journalist killings in the country in 2025.
In short
- Tomas Beltran was killed while under witness protection.
- He had reported threats and earlier attacks.
- Press groups called for a swift investigation.
Explained simply
Ecuador is a country in South America where local journalists report on public officials and community affairs. Tomas Beltran ran Calcetines, a digital news outlet, and had accused the mayor of Bolívar province of corruption.
Beltran had been in a witness protection programme since 2025, after reporting threats. His case comes amid wider concerns about violence against journalists in Ecuador: press groups recorded several journalist killings and reported threats and attacks against Beltran and his colleagues.