Conditions for press freedom remain precarious in the interior of the country, where many journalists have been attacked by members of influential groups, including organized crime. However, the most significant and ongoing case is that of José Rubén Zamora Marroquín, who has been imprisoned for three years, two of them under degrading circumstances.
Zamora has not been allowed to defend himself in court adequately, and his case has been maliciously delayed. The Public Ministry continues to pursue journalists and columnists who, at the time, expressed opinions about Zamora’s case in his now-closed newspaper, elPeriódico, despite rulings in both first and second instance stating that the case should be handled not by ordinary courts but by the Press Tribunal, as established by the Law on the Issuance of Thought.
Likewise, the ongoing legal cases against the outlet La Hora have increased.
During this period, the national government’s attitude has been one of tolerance toward the press, which has led to the creation of a greater plurality of spaces for analysis and discussion.
In the interior of the country, journalist José Daniel Ajcto Tacaxoy, from San Antonio Suchitepéquez, reported being robbed and assaulted by two individuals who, when attempting to take his cellphone, warned him to “stop bothering the boss.”
The Guatemalan Association of Journalists (APG) recalled that journalist Milton Polanco, from Jutiapa, has been missing since February 7, 2025. The APG also reported an attack against Marvin del Cid, a journalist from the outlet Vox Populi, allegedly carried out by shock groups linked to the Teachers’ Union.
On May 28, the APG denounced an assault by internal security agents of the University of San Carlos of Guatemala against reporter Hamilton Chang from the state radio TGW, La Voz de Guatemala.
On June 16, the leader of the educators’ union, Joviel Acevedo, lashed out at the media during teachers’ protests, accusing them of misrepresenting information and serving the interests of the government.
