Written by: Fatima Younis
Former Guatemalan lawyer and prosecutor Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa was assassinated by gunfire while at a football field in the capital, Guatemala City. The attack, which took place at the Campo Marte sports complex, resulted in the death of one other person and the injury of five others.
Investigations and arrest of suspects
The Public Prosecutor's Office announced the arrest of two individuals suspected of being linked to the attack, while police seized an automatic rifle and found more than 20 empty bullet casings at the crime scene. The military indicated that one of the detainees is a former soldier, while the detained brothers denied any connection to the incident, claiming they were working in delivery services at the time of their arrest.
Official reactions and pledges to uncover the crime
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo condemned the assassination, describing it as a cowardly act, and affirmed his commitment to holding the perpetrators and planners accountable. Arévalo issued instructions to government institutions to take immediate action and coordinate with the competent authorities to uncover the circumstances of the crime, stressing that attempts at intimidation will neither intimidate the people nor the government.
Victim's background and legal activity
Solórzano Foppa was known for his anti-corruption and anti-organized crime stances, having previously served as the prosecutor specialized in combating gangs and as head of the tax administration authority. He had security protection as a result of previous threats, and was famous for his criticism of the administration of former President Alejandro Giammattei and the performance of former Attorney General Consuelo Porras, in addition to criticizing what he described as the takeover of justice institutions.
International condemnations of the incident
The US Embassy in Guatemala condemned the assassination, praising the victim's role in fighting corruption and calling for a transparent investigation. Albert Ramdin, Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States, also condemned the crime, demanding a thorough and independent investigation to ensure that those involved do not go unpunished.
