A young journalist has been found murdered in Colombia, in an area known for the presence of guerrilla groups and drug traffickers, raising new concerns about the safety of journalists in the country. The victim is Mateo Perez, who had been missing since Tuesday while reporting on violence in a rural area of ​​the Antioquia department, in the northwestern part of the country.

According to reports, both dissident groups of the former FARC and drug traffickers of the Clan del Golfo, considered the most powerful cartel in Colombia, operate in this region. The news of his death was confirmed by the Freedom of the Press Foundation (FLIP), which stated that Perez had become an “important voice for the local community” through reports and publications on social networks.

According to the organization, the journalist was facing pressure and threats due to investigations he was conducting into the illegal economy and the links of armed organizations to drug trafficking. Colombian authorities have not yet provided details on the perpetrators of the crime, while organizations for the protection of journalists are demanding a full investigation into the incident.