La Hora
🇬🇹 Guatemala · Spanish · Center-left · Read with context · lahora.gt
About La Hora
La Hora is a privately owned family outlet controlled by the Marroquín Pérez family. Its current leadership lists Oscar Clemente Marroquín as president and Pedro Pablo Marroquín as general director. It was founded by Clemente Marroquín Rojas in 1920 and became digital-only after its print edition ended.
Media Bias/Fact Check, AllSides, and Ad Fontes Media do not publish a clear rating for La Hora, so its exact political placement remains uncertain. Its stated editorial identity is pro-democracy and strongly anti-corruption, with criticism directed at governments, political parties, courts, and other power centers. The sample reflects institutional scrutiny and frequent use of official sources, rather than consistent government alignment. RSF and Freedom House describe Guatemala’s broader environment as involving threats, legal harassment, and self-censorship. A 2025 Article 19 report recorded allegations that the director received government-linked payments to shape coverage, but this is an allegation, not an established finding.
How to read La Hora
When consuming news from Guatemala, seek out a variety of sources, including digital-only outlets, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of local issues and perspectives.
Reading context
Media systems vary by law, ownership, and editorial custom. We preserve each outlet's framing and add context so readers can compare coverage without treating one country as the default.
What does it take to become a PMT traffic agent?
The Municipal Traffic Police of Guatemala City is inviting people interested in becoming traffic agents to apply for positions in the metropolitan area. The deadline to submit application documents is…
Congress Continues Interpellation of Social Development Minister
Guatemala’s Congress is continuing its interpellation of Social Development Minister Abelardo Pinto during its 41st regular session. The minister’s political proceeding began on Nov. 13, 2025, followi…
Livestream: Comptroller General selection committee reviews candidates’ rebuttal evidence
Guatemala’s Selection Committee for Comptroller General of Accounts is set to review rebuttal evidence from 15 candidates who were excluded during the first stage of the selection process. The profile…
Guatemala and Taiwan Deepen Cooperation on Cybersecurity and Transnational Crime
Guatemala and Taiwan are expanding their security partnership through a training program focused on cybercrime and transnational criminal threats. A specialized group of Guatemalan investigators compl…
Mineduc sets safety measures for September civic torch events
Guatemala’s Ministry of Education has announced preventive and safety measures for schools organizing extracurricular activities during September, the country’s patriotic month. The guidance focuses e…
What route will Guatemala’s September 15 school parade take?
Guatemala’s traditional civic school parade will return on September 15 after a two-year suspension caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The parade is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. to noon through Guatemal…
“#Confe”: Lester Martínez’s signature becomes a tattoo
Lester Martínez’s signature did not remain on paper or skin for long. After the Guatemalan boxer defeated Croatia’s Luka Plantić and won his WBC title on March 21, a fan asked him to sign an arm. The …
What happened to the Renap workers detained over suspicions they issued a fake ID to Fernando Farías?
Two employees of Guatemala’s National Registry of Persons, known as Renap, were detained over suspicions that they issued a fake Personal Identification Document to former Mexican rear admiral Fernand…
Conamigua: These Are the Deadlines Applicants Will Have to Seek a Position at the Institution
Applicants seeking the secretary or undersecretary position at Guatemala’s National Council for Migrant Assistance, known as Conamigua, will have set deadlines to submit their candidacies. The Legisla…
Guatemalan Migrant Arrested in Florida After Crashing Into Police Cruiser
A 46-year-old Guatemalan woman was arrested in Lakeland, Florida, after her car rolled backward during a traffic stop and struck a sheriff’s patrol vehicle, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Offi…
Guatemala begins removing damaged Güijo Bridge structure and prepares Bailey bridge
Guatemala has begun dismantling the damaged superstructure of the Güijo Bridge at kilometer 111 of the CA-9 Norte route to the Atlantic, while traffic continues over a temporary crossing beside it. Th…
Mixco Mayor Neto Bran Announces “Zero Allowances” for Himself and Council Members Amid Municipal Finances
Mixco Mayor Neto Bran announced that he and the members of the municipal council would stop receiving their allowances from Sept. 2, citing the municipality’s financial situation. In a video posted on…
Despite minister’s assurances, Arévalo to seek concurrent audit of bridge projects
President Bernardo Arévalo plans to ask Guatemala’s Comptroller General of Accounts to monitor disputed bridge projects while they are being built, rather than waiting until construction ends. Arévalo…
Agricultural Chamber Warns of 5% Sales Drop Due to Drought and El Niño
Guatemala’s Agricultural Chamber is warning of a 5% drop in sales as a lack of rain and the El Niño phenomenon affect the country’s farms. The chamber said El Niño has brought reduced rainfall, prolon…
The Confusion and Missing Answers in Minister Zea’s Defense of Three Expensive Bridges
Norma Zea’s attempt to defend the high prices of three bridge projects has left what La Hora describes as confusion and unanswered questions. The Communications, Infrastructure and Housing minister tr…
Guatemala Police to Prioritize High-Crime Departments for New Recruits
Guatemala’s National Civil Police is preparing to add about 3,000 officers to its ranks on Sept. 9, with deployments focused on departments facing high crime levels. Police Director David Boteo said G…
Comptroller selection process faces challenge seeking to reset candidate scoring table
Guatemalan accountant and auditor Hugo Locón Suruy has asked a court to halt recent progress in the selection of candidates for the country’s Comptroller General’s Office and require the process to re…
Cases against “Liro Rebelde” combined over attacks on Guatemala’s police
Two criminal cases involving Harold Yeraldo Salguero Morales, known as “Liro Rebelde,” have been joined before Guatemala’s High-Risk Court A. Prosecutors link him to attacks against the National Civil…
Lawmakers weigh Q192 billion 2027 budget proposal for election year
Guatemala’s proposed 2027 budget has drawn immediate scrutiny from lawmakers after the Finance Ministry submitted a spending plan worth Q192.045 billion, more than Q23 billion above the current 2026 b…
Route reopened at Cuyotenango’s kilometer 168 after clashes; several people treated for gas exposure
Traffic resumed on Guatemala’s CA-2 highway at kilometer 168 in Cuyotenango, Suchitepéquez, after police intervened to remove a blockade that had halted vehicles since the previous day. The blockade b…
In Confusing Ruling, Judge Gives Prosecutors Time to Correct Case Against Tuktuk Driver Accused in Police Attacks
In what La Hora described as a confusing ruling, Judge Abelina Cruz gave Guatemala’s Public Ministry more time to correct its accusation against Edwin Fernando Xol Raymundo. The case concerns a tuktuk…
More Than 1,000 Torches Could Cross Guatemala City in 2026 Independence Celebrations
Guatemala City could see more than 1,000 torch processions during this year’s patriotic celebrations. The events will take place from Sept. 11 to 14 as Guatemala marks 205 years of independence. Amílc…
Arévalo Rejects Claims of Congressional Bargaining Over IUSI Tax Reforms and 2027 Budget
Bernardo Arévalo has rejected claims that he struck a congressional bargain to approve reforms to Guatemala’s Single Property Tax Law, known as IUSI, in exchange for support for the proposed 2027 budg…
Guatemalan lawyer arrested over alleged illegal home sales and document fraud
A Guatemalan lawyer was among 11 people arrested in operations targeting an alleged real-estate fraud network, according to the National Civil Police. Investigators from the DEIC and DIPANDA, working …
