Guatemala - June 2023

José Rubén Zamora, founder of El Periódico, a widely recognized Guatemalan newspaper and news media outlet, was sentenced to six years imprisonment for money laundering. His prosecution and conviction have been denounced as retaliation for the paper’s criticism of the Giammattei government. Zamora was cleared of other charges of influence peddling and blackmail. Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of forty years imprisonment and have expressed they will appeal the six-year sentence in order to obtain a harsher penalty. 

Human rights groups have stated Zamora’s trial has been plagued with irregularities, including due process violations, and the prosecution of members of his defence team. 

El Periódico published its last online edition in May due to the harassment and prosecutions faced by its journalists, after its offices had been previously closed by the government. 

Sources: El País, Article 19,  British Broadcasting Corporation