A Guatemalan court has handed down a six-year jail sentence to respected journalist José Zamora for money laundering, a verdict that has drawn condemnation from human rights organizations. Zamora, aged 66, was also fined $38,000 but cleared of charges of blackmail and influence-peddling. He vehemently denounced the accusations, describing them as “political persecution.”
Zamora is the founder of El Periódico, a prominent newspaper known for its investigative reporting on alleged corruption involving President Alejandro Giammattei and his associates. Sadly, the publication ceased operations in May after almost three decades of service.
During the highly publicized trial in Guatemala City, the state prosecutor’s office sought a 40-year sentence for the esteemed journalist. However, Zamora maintains his innocence, insisting that the charges against him are unfounded. He revealed that his wife was forced into exile in the United States due to fears of being targeted by President Giammattei’s government.
Civil rights groups view the court’s ruling as another blow to democracy in Guatemala, which comes just days before a general election in which four opposition candidates have been disqualified. They also highlight the growing authoritarianism under President Giammattei’s leadership. The president, however, denies these allegations.
In July of the previous year, Zamora was arrested, and subsequent to that, police conducted raids on El Periódico’s office and his residence in Guatemala City. The raids received extensive coverage in the national media, with various television channels streaming the events live. Rafael Curruchiche, the head of the Guatemalan public ministry’s anti-corruption unit, clarified that Zamora was being charged as an individual businessman and not as a journalist, emphasizing that the action was not directed against his newspaper.
José Zamora is a renowned figure in the field of journalism, having received multiple international awards for his work, including the prestigious Maria Moors Cabot prize from Columbia University. This recognition honors his exceptional contributions to press freedom in the Americas and fostering inter-American understanding.
