Ecuadorian journalist is shot dead while under witness protection
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An Ecuadorian journalist has been shot dead outside his home while under witness protection.
Tomas Beltran ran the digital news outlet Calcetines and had received death threats in April after accusing the mayor of Bolivar of corruption.
He was killed on Sunday night as he drove his car into his home in Calceta, Bolivar, Fundamedios said on social media.
Two of Beltran's colleagues were also killed in April, leading to Mr Beltran receiving threatening leaflets.
In 2023, his car was attacked with chemicals, according to Fundamedios.
Ecuadorian journalist Tomas Beltran was shot dead outside his home
The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) condemned the killing and called for a 'thorough and swift investigation' to identify those responsible.
'The crime is particularly serious given the history of threats and intimidation that Beltran had reported,' the IAPA said in a statement.
Beltran had been in a witness protection program since 2025.
Six journalists were killed in Ecuador in 2025, according to the Ecuadorian foundation Periodistas Sin Cadenas.
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