News -

December 19, 2025—In a harrowing call to action, international and local advocacy groups are pressing Guatemalan authorities to swiftly and thoroughly investigate the murder of journalist Jorge Agustín Zapeta Aguilar. Zapeta, aged 56, known for his bold journalism and community engagement, was discovered deceased on December 16 in the remote area of El Aguacatal, located in the San Pablo Jocopilas municipality in the Suchitepéquez department. His disappearance, reported just days before the gruesome discovery, has sent shockwaves through journalistic communities both within and beyond Guatemala, underscoring the perils faced by those who dare to report the truth. Press associations like the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have underscored the urgency for a transparent investigation, voicing fears that Zapeta's murder might be linked to his vociferous championing of free speech through his regional television platform 'Libertad de Expresión.' The immediate response by Guatemalan law enforcement entities, consisting of the Public Ministry's prosecutors and the National Civil Police, has been met with calls for diligence and sincerity. Initial forensic examinations suggest that Zapeta succumbed to blunt force trauma to the chest, intensifying debates over whether this was a targeted silencing. Cristina Zahar, Latin America program coordinator for CPJ, vocalized the organization's grave concern: 'Attacks like these against journalists not only endanger lives but also threaten the very fabric of local democracy and the public's right to informed citizenship.' Family members of Zapeta, as highlighted by the Association of Journalists of Guatemala, have revealed that he had been receiving threats in the weeks preceding his disappearance. While these claims remain unverified by official channels, they paint a chilling picture of the pressures faced by journalists in the region. This senseless violence marks the second loss of a journalist in Guatemala in 2025, casting a dark shadow following the murder of Ismael Alonzo González in March. Both tragedies signal an alarming trend of violence against journalists in the nation, demanding urgent attention and resolves from authorities to uphold justice and safeguard press freedom.