Key facts
- Juan Francisco Solorzano Foppa was a prominent voice denouncing alleged links between politicians and organized crime.
- The killing of Solorzano Foppa has heightened concerns over organized crime's influence in Guatemala.
- More than 100 former prosecutors, judges, journalists and human rights defenders have left Guatemala in recent years.
- Edgar Ortiz, a lawyer who also railed against political corruption, received death threats following Solorzano Foppa's killing.
Former Guatemalan anti-corruption prosecutor Juan Francisco Solorzano Foppa, a prominent voice against alleged links between politicians and organized crime, was shot dead on a soccer field over the weekend. His killing has heightened concerns over the influence of organized crime in the Central American nation and revived debate about criminal networks' penetration of state institutions. Solorzano Foppa had alleged links between Barrio 18 leader Aldo "El Lobo" Ochoa and people close to the leadership of the National Unity of Hope (UNE) party, allegations that UNE stated were never proven. The Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating the killing, but has not identified a motive or ordered party. More than 100 former prosecutors, judges, journalists and human rights defenders have left Guatemala in recent years due to corruption allegations or links between state structures and criminal networks. Following Solorzano Foppa's death, a lawyer who also denounced political corruption, Edgar Ortiz, reported receiving death threats, which President Bernardo Arevalo denounced.