Guatemala drops case against journalists from defunct elPeriódico

Guatemala's Public Ministry has officially withdrawn its legal action against journalists and columnists associated with the newspaper elPeriódico, which ceased publication earlier this year. The decision marks a significant shift after the ministry had pursued charges of obstructing justice.

The case stemmed from the journalists' reporting on alleged judicial irregularities surrounding the trial of elPeriódico's founder, Jose Rubén Zamora Marroquín. Prosecutors had argued that the reporting damaged the reputation of former Attorney General Consuelo Porras. However, neither the prosecutors nor Porras appeared at a June 2 hearing concerning the matter, despite their role in initiating the legal proceedings.

This withdrawal follows a prior attempt by the ministry's Special Prosecutor's Office against Impunity (Feci) to pursue the charges. Legal bodies, including the Fifth Criminal Court, the Third Appellate Chamber, and the Supreme Court of Justice, had previously ruled that such matters should be handled through a "Tribunal de Imprenta" under the Law of Freedom of Expression, not through criminal prosecution.

Since March 2023, the Public Ministry had been attempting to prosecute several communicators over their articles concerning Zamora Marroquín's trial. The situation highlights a broader trend of alleged political persecution in Guatemala. Between 2019 and 2023, an estimated 50 individuals, including journalists, judges, and activists, have reportedly left the country after denouncing such persecution.

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Yes, the corresponding process was carried out to withdraw.