“This crime not only brings grief to Guatemalan journalism, but also sends a message of intimidation to the entire press in the region.”
Miami (April 29, 2026) – The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) condemned the killing of journalist Carlos Humberto Cal Ical in Guatemala and urged authorities to conduct a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation to identify those responsible, determine the motive for the crime, and bring the perpetrators to justice. The organization warned that this new attack deepens the cycle of violence and impunity that continues to threaten journalism in the Americas.
On April 26, Cal Ical, 45, was the victim of an armed attack carried out by unknown assailants who shot him at least five times, according to press reports. The attack occurred near his home in the municipality of San Cristóbal Verapaz, in the department of Alta Verapaz, about 80 kilometers from Guatemala City.
IAPA President Pierre Manigault expressed his condolences to the journalist’s family and his solidarity with Guatemalan colleagues. Manigault— Chairman at Evening Post Publishing Inc., based in Charleston, South Carolina—emphasized that “the murder of a journalist, coupled with the impunity that often surrounds most of these crimes, constitutes one of the most serious violations of press freedom that we must confront with urgency and determination.”
For her part, the chair of the Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information, Martha Ramos, stated: “This crime not only brings grief to Guatemalan journalism, but also sends a message of intimidation to the entire press in the region.” Ramos, editorial director of Organización Editorial Mexicana (OEM), added that “we cannot allow violence to silence the work of journalists. It is essential that the State guarantee justice and safe conditions for the practice of journalism.”
The Association of Journalists and Social Communicators of Alta Verapaz condemned the killing, demanded justice, and urged the Public Prosecutor’s Office to act immediately, as well as the government to implement effective protection measures for journalists. The organization warned that the region where the crime occurred “is particularly dangerous for those covering social and environmental conflicts.” Its president, Renaldo Yash, noted that Cal Ical practiced journalism through social media and, although no prior threats had been reported, it cannot be ruled out that the killing was linked to his journalistic work, according to local press reports.
In Guatemala—according to the report approved at the IAPA’s recent midyear meeting—attacks against journalists persist in digital environments, including threats and harassment, as well as risks of judicial harassment linked to coverage of sensitive issues. In the country’s interior, the document underscores, the concentration of power in local authorities and the influence of organized crime networks force some reporters to cover certain areas where they are not known, as a way to reduce risks.
The IAPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to defending and promoting freedom of the press and expression in the Americas. It comprises more than 1,300 publications from the western hemisphere and is based in Miami, Florida, United States.