Journalism is not just a job, it is a way of life. It can be in an investigative report in the field, in a short interview, a photograph, or in a classroom, but it never ends. I have tried unsuccessfully. I knew I wanted to be a journalist at the age of seven, while narrating soccer games at recess because I had a broken arm. During my time at university in Brazil (2012), I realized that these stories only made sense if they were about people, their problems and how to solve them, if possible. Since then, I have always focused on social issues, especially human rights, migration, and the environment. I served drinks in several bars in Germany until the opportunity arose to go to Greece (2014) and write daily about the euro crisis for a Spanish newspaper. Then, I covered the arrival of refugees in Eastern Europe for the Spanish national press and television. I pretended to be Syrian to make the journey from Turkey (without the boat) to Germany. That's how intense my work was at the age of 24.
My intention was to move to Istanbul to delve into the Middle East, but I fell in love and ended up in Colombia (2016). I continued to follow every historical event in the region, from the death of Fidel Castro to the crisis in Venezuela or Haiti. Perhaps because of this interest, the international TV channel Deutsche Welle took notice of me and since then I have been a correspondent in Colombia and then in Mexico (2018). This position allowed me to cover current affairs and develop long features across 22 countries in Latin America, also for written media. But most importantly, it gave me the stability to stop being a parachutist and devote myself to delving into certain novel topics. For example, investigating the involvement of cartels in the water business and government corruption, based on human stories on the ground.
There is an image that often accompanies Aitor Sáez.
It is that of a race. With words, information, contacts, preparing
a trip to Bogotá before disappearing for a few days (EL PAÍS)
That's how a great colleague described me during an interview in 2018. I was a journalism enthusiast and still am, but over the years I've realized there are many other ways to find new topics, delve deeper, and reach larger audiences. As a correspondent for DW, I've also participated in workshops on creating content for social media, data journalism, fact-checking, and an intensive narrative editing course. I'm a great expert in storytelling in any format. I'm also passionate about languages. I speak Spanish, Catalan (native), Portuguese (bilingual), English (professional), French, and German (intermediate). And now I'm studying Arabic. Although I graduated in journalism, I also had to teach myself how to record and edit video... and it seemed just as impossible, if not more so, than Arabic.
In February 2026, I'm moving to Barcelona, my hometown, after fifteen years living in five countries. It was about time, my mother would say. At times, I thought about leaving journalism and had some bouts of cynicism, but I've decided to continue in this wonderful profession. I'll try to cover topics in the Middle East, a region that has attracted me since I was a teenager, and combine it with other work. Or join a stable, solid editorial team, production company, or project that challenges me and allows me to contribute all my experience of more than 10 years, my lifelong drive and a strong commitment to the company. And give my all to journalism, the only way of life I understand.
Books
Feature of an uncertain peace. Colombia survives, Human stories on the ground to portray the half century conflict and peace process in Colombia. June 2018. Editorial: Círculo de Tiza
When the water runs out, about the water conflict in Mexico, the cartels war, corruption and resistance.
December 2024, Bajo Tierra Ediciones
Achievements
