World · Latin America · 8 hrs ago
Ecuadorian journalist Tomas Beltran killed while under witness protection
Ecuadorian journalist Tomas Beltran was shot dead on Sunday night as he drove into his home in Calceta, in Bolivar province.
Beltran ran the digital news outlet Calcetines.
He had been under witness protection since 2025 after receiving threats.
The threats followed his accusations of corruption against Bolivar’s mayor and the killing of two of his colleagues in April.
His car had also been attacked with chemicals in 2023.
The Inter American Press Association called for a swift investigation to identify those responsible.
Six journalists were killed in Ecuador in 2025, according to the foundation Periodistas Sin Cadenas.
Ecuadorian journalist Tomas Beltran was shot dead outside his home while under witness protection.
He ran the digital news outlet Calcetines and was killed as he drove into his home in Calceta, Bolivar.
Beltran had received death threats in April after accusing the mayor of Bolivar of corruption.
The Inter American Press Association condemned the killing and called for a thorough and swift investigation.
- Who
- Tomas Beltran, an Ecuadorian journalist who ran the digital news outlet Calcetines.
- What
- He was shot dead outside his home while under witness protection.
- When
- Sunday night; the article was published on 10 November 2026.
- Where
- Calceta, in Ecuador's Bolivar province, outside his home.
- Why
- Not stated. Beltran had received threats after accusing the mayor of Bolivar of corruption.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Beltran's car was attacked with chemicals, according to Fundamedios.
Beltran entered a witness protection program.
Beltran received death threats after accusing the mayor of Bolivar of corruption; two of his colleagues were also killed that month.
Beltran was shot dead as he drove into his home in Calceta.
- Victim
- Tomas Beltran
- News outlet
- Calcetines
- Location
- Calceta, Bolivar, Ecuador
- Witness protection
- Beltran had been in the program since 2025
- Journalist deaths
- Six journalists were killed in Ecuador in 2025, according to Periodistas Sin Cadenas
What people are saying
The crime is particularly serious given the history of threats and intimidation that Beltran had reported.
thorough and swift investigation