José Rubén Zamora Marroquín | Guatemala | Occupation: Journalist | Situation: House Arrest
Jose Rubén Zamora Marroquín, a leading Guatemalan journalist and founder of elPeriódico, has faced threats, criminalization and arbitrary detention for his investigations into corruption within Alejandro Giammatei’s government. On 18 October 2024, Zamora was placed under house arrest after more than 800 days behind bars.
How you can help
- Write a message of hope to Jose Rubén Zamora Marroquín.
- Advocate: contact the Guatemalan authorities demanding his immediate and unconditional release.
- Share your campaign on social media.
Write
Advocacy
PEN International urges the Guatemalan authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Jose Rubén Zamora Marroquín, put an end to the legal and judicial harassment of journalists in Guatemala, and protect them from violence or intimidation, allowing them to work freely. Join us in calling for his immediate and unconditional release on the Day of the Imprisoned Writer.
Please inform PEN International of any action you take and any feedback you receive. Appeals can be sent to:
Bernardo Arévalo
President of Guatemala
Twitter: @BArevalodeLeon, Instagram: bernardoarevalogt
Karin Herrera
Vice President of Guatemala
Twitter @KarinHerreraVP
Email: uip@vicepresidencia.gob.gt and contacto@vicepresidencia.gob.gt
Attorney General’s Office (PGN)
Twitter: @PGNguatemala, Instagram: pgnguatemalaoficial
Dr. María Consuelo Porras Argueta
Attorney General of Guatemala and Head of Public Prosecutor’s Office
Email: infoyprensa@mp.gob.gt and info@mp.gob.gt
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mpguatemala, Twitter: @MPguatemala, Instagram: mpguatemala
Carlos Ramiro Martínez
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Email: cmartinez@minex.gob.gt
Twitter: @CRMartinezGT
Please send an email expressing your concern to the Guatemalan Embassy in your country.
Social Media
Spread the word about Jose Rubén Zamora’s case on social media, using this graphic and sample messages below:
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Today, on the Day of the #ImprisonedWriter, we stand with journalist #JoseRubénZamora. Take action now, demand his unconditional release and protect press freedom in #Guatemala. Join us: #ZamoraLibre @PEN_LAC @pen_int
Facebook
Join us in standing up for press freedom on this year’s Day of the #ImprisonedWriter. Journalist #JoseRubénZamora is being criminalized in #Guatemala for exposing corruption. Take action now, demand his immediate release and protect press freedom in #Guatemala.
Background
Jose Rubén Zamora, founder of elPeriódico, is a prominent Guatemalan journalist. For over two decades, Zamora and his team exposed systemic corruption and abuses of power, earning elPeriódico a key role in holding Guatemalan officials accountable.
On July 29, 2022, the National Civil Police arrested Zamora at his home on trumped up charges of money laundering, blackmailing, influence peddling and conspiracy to launder money, while also performing a raid in elPeriódico’s newsroom and freezing his and the newspaper’s assets. Following Zamora’s detention, elPeriódico endured relentless political, financial, and legal harassment, driving nine journalists into exile. After months of intense pressure, elPeriódico ceased operations on May 15, 2023.
PEN International believes that Zamora’s imprisonment and the closure of elPeriódico were attempts by the government to silence critical journalism.
The legal proceedings against Zamora have been marked by irregularities and undue restrictions. During his trial, he faced severe obstacles including a limited ability to present exculpatory evidence and witnesses, the harassment and persecution of his legal defence team, and the abusive use of pretrial detention. These procedural issues, along with the addition of unsubstantiated charges mid-trial, further fuel concerns that his prosecution is a retaliatory measure rather than a legitimate criminal case.
In June 2023, Zamora was sentenced to six years in prison on money laundering charges, although all other charges were dismissed. On October 14, 2023, the Second Appeals Chamber overturned his conviction, citing irregularities and ordering a new trial, which has now been scheduled for September 2025.
On July 2, 2024, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention released an opinion on Zamora’s case, stating that the imprisonment of Zamora is arbitrary, and, his “detention was a result of the legitimate exercise of the right to freedom of expression”. The opinion declared that “no trial should be held”, and an “appropriate remedy would be to immediately release Mr. Zamora” and provide him with proper compensation.
On October 18, 2024, after more than 800 days behind bars waiting for a trial, Zamora was placed under house arrest following a Guatemalan court decision. The judge declared that “the pretrial detention period allowed by the law had been exceeded” and ordered his transfer to house arrest, with a ban on leaving the country. His passport remains in judicial custody.
While under house arrest, Zamora is awaiting the resolution of two legal actions: whether he will face a retrial in the alleged money laundering case involving elPeriódico, and whether he will be retried in a case of obstruction of justice.
Zamora is the beneficiary of precautionary measures issued by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights since 2003, upon recognition of the risks he faces in relation to his work as journalist.
PEN International believes that his prosecution is directly related to his journalistic activities and stands in solidarity with him. The ongoing repression of freedom of expression exemplifies the broader crackdown on journalists exposing corruption. It represents a grave and clear assault on freedom of the press, and sets a dangerous precedent for independent media in Guatemala.
PEN International urges the Guatemalan authorities to uphold international standards of due process and calls for Zamora’s immediate and unconditional release.
Note to Editors
• For more information, please contact Alicia Quiñones, Head of the Americas Region, at PEN International, email: alicia.quinones@pen-international.org
• For media queries, please contact Sabrina Tucci, Communications and Campaigns Manager, Sabrina.Tucci@ pen-international.org
