Over the past few weeks, Guatemala has witnessed some of the worst violence against journalists in recent times. Election years are the most dangerous times for journalists in Guatemala, regardless of their political leanings. So far in 2015, three journalists have been killed, many have received threats and been assaulted, and over 10 Indigenous community leaders have been jailed. The persecution of those who dedicate their lives to exposing the truth and informing their communities is of great concern to human rights organizations around the globe. Community radio reporters in Guatemala are well aware of the struggle for freedom of expression, as they are constantly immersed in it themselves. Now, even journalists from larger networks, like Prensa Libre, are finding themselves under attack.
On March 10, 2015, at around 1:00pm in the central park of Mazatenango, Suchitepequez, Guatemala, two journalists were shot to death. Danilo López and Ramiro Salazar, journalists from the national media networks Prensa Libre and Radio Nuevo Mundo, respectively, were the victims, while Marvin Túnchez, a local journalist, was gravely injured. Witnesses affirm that the murderers rode a motorcycle and after committing the crime quickly fled to the mayor’s home, where they hid. The mayor of Mazatenango denied the allegations. However, Miguel Angel Mendez, the director of Prensa Libre, stated on their official webpage that Danilo López had expressed concern over threats he had received from two mayors in Suchitepequez. "I condemn this crime in the strongest possible way. We stand in solidarity with the family and have alerted the international community that it is time that Guatemalans show more concern about the terrible atmosphere of danger and lawlessness that prevails in this country," Mendez added.
On the night of March 13, 2015, in Chicacao, Suchitepequez, 20-year-old cameraman Giovanni Villatoro, of Noticiero de Intercable, was shot to death by two men on a motorcycle. Several community and human rights organizations condemned the attacks and demanded that authorities clarify the facts and safeguard the lives of journalists, who should be valued for their contribution to democracy in the country. Iliana Alamilla, Director of the Center for Informative Reports on Guatemala (CERIGUA) stated, “Journalists from outside the capital are most vulnerable to danger and attacks. As the journalist community mourns, we urge the authorities to make efforts to safeguard the lives of journalists."
In a similar attempt to inhibit the efforts of Indigenous communities, to access information and defend their territories, two Indigenous community leaders were arrested without any real charges in Guatemala City on March 24, 2015. Rigoberto Juarez and Domingo Baltazar are Q’anjob’al Indigenous leaders from Huehuetenango who have been fighting for their territories against hydroelectric companies in the region. Both leaders were in the capital denouncing human rights violations against their community of Santa Eulalia when the National Police arrested them without a warrant. Ricardo Cajas, a Mayan lawyer, was assaulted during the arrest when he attempted to ask the police to identify themselves and show an arrest warrant. The arrest of these two leaders adds to the list of now 15 Q’anjob’al Mayan activists arrested as political prisoners since 2012. The First Declaration Hearing was held on Friday March 27, in the Tower of Courts in Guatemala City, where attempts were made to liberate both leaders. As they left the hearing, agents of the National Police once again arrested Rigoberto Juárez and Domingo Baltazar, this time accusing them of kidnapping and incitement to commit crime. They were transferred back to the jails under the Tower Courts in Guatemala City.
The increased violence against all political, community and media leaders in Guatemala is of serious concern to both the national and international community. Community protests have been organized demanding thorough investigations of all the killings and arrests. Guatemala is facing a time of turmoil as corrupt political leaders attempt to hold their positions, suppress freedom of expression that might threaten their power, and exploit Indigenous communities’ resources.
*Pictures from Prensa Comunitaria
