Key facts
- Juan Francisco Solorzano Foppa, 43, was known for his anti-corruption work.
- He previously served as head of Guatemala's tax authority, the SAT.
- He alleged connections between the Barrio 18 gang and the National Unity of Hope party in 2025.
- He briefly joined the defense team of journalist Jose Ruben Zamora in 2023.
Juan Francisco Solorzano Foppa, a 43-year-old Guatemalan lawyer known for his fight against corruption, was killed on Saturday in Guatemala City. He was shot by two men while visiting a sports center. Solorzano Foppa had previously served as head of the Criminal Investigations Directorate and later as head of Guatemala's tax authority, the SAT, from 2016 to 2018, where he helped prosecute business figures and recover unpaid taxes. In 2025, he alleged connections between the Barrio 18 gang and the National Unity of Hope party, as well as links between criminal gangs and the judicial system. He also briefly joined the defense team of journalist Jose Ruben Zamora in 2023. Guatemalan police have detained two men and seized a firearm and motorcycle in connection with the shooting. President Bernardo Arevalo condemned the murder and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.