The media outlet Con Criterio reported this Sunday, December 8, that there is persecution against one of its founders, the journalist Juan Luis Font, after he was arrested by the Ministry of Public Affairs (MP) last Friday. Cló has been in exile since 2021.
The media demand that the government of Bernardo Arévalo de León and the judicial authorities guarantee freedom of the press in Guatemala.
“Con criterio considers Juan Luis Font to be a persecuted journalist based on his critical stance and open denial of corruption and abuse of power by the radio program of which he is a founding partner and member,” Con Criterio’s statement says.
He also says that the arrest warrant issued against him last Friday, december 6, is one more act of judicial harassment he has suffered since 2021.
“The Public Ministry has investigated Juan Luis in several cases,without proving any illegality. Three years ago, the harassment increased when the Office of the Special Prosecutor against Impunity (FECI) started a process based on a statement from former minister Alejandro Sinibaldi. Today, without the support of that evidence, the arrest warrant, as explained by the Prosecutor’s Office, is based on the ruling of Erika Aifán, who was previously in charge of the High Risk Court D, who accepted the request of Juan Luis to rule that case. A resolution was issued which was confirmed by the Constitutional Court itself in accordance with the law,” the document says.
“Since the start of the judicial attack, and digital harassment before his family, Juan Luis Font lives in exile, but he continues his journalistic work daily,” says Con Criterio.
He says: “With Criterio SA it is convinced of the innocence of Juan Luis. At the same time, he states that his persecution affects the radio program and the freedom of the press in the context of criminalizing journalists as it has been denied by national and international entities.”
“We demand that the government of Bernardo Arévalo and the judicial authorities guarantee the freedom of expression of our radio program. We ask the international community to join us in defending this journalistic project,” the letter concludes.
It is indeed mentioned
For his part,Juan Luis Font,interview on the phone at free press,last friday,He questioned the actions of the Public Ministry and recalled that they tried to prosecute him four timesbut they have not achieved it; In addition,he saeid that This type of persecution is used against journalists who question corruption and impunity in Guatemala.
Font said Feci’s actions only show they are looking for one more case to try to prosecute.
“I understand in this case they asked for an arrest warrant and a judge granted it. The Guatemalan judicial system does not surprise me,” said Font, who reiterated the ““Journalists who question the regime of impunity for corruption and the judicial dictatorship established in Guatemala are persecuted”.
Font, 57, has a 34-year journalism career and is the director of radio media outlet Con Criterio. In addition, since 2022 he has decided to go into exile outside of Guatemala due to persecution against him.
Between 2019 and 2024, at least 20 journalists decided to go into exile outside of Guatemala, after facing political persecution by the Prosecutor’s office against them.
In addition, the journalist who received an international award for his investigative work, José Rubén Zamora Marroquín, was imprisoned for 813 days between 2022 and 2024, for an alleged case of money laundering that was never proven.
This year,the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) warned in a report that the entities in charge of the executive justice are being used in Guatemala to criminalize journalistic work.
@jlfont001 He has an arrest warrant in front of him based on a resolution that the Constitutional Court itself has validated as a legal resolution. I @concriteriogt We condemn this judicial persecution that seeks to silence the critical voices of self-reliant journalism in Guatemala. pic.twitter.com/dG6pa3wc0H
— ConCriterio (@concriteriogt) December 9, 2024
How can international organizations assist in protecting journalists facing persecution?
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Journalist Freedom Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Thank you for joining us today. we’re discussing a pressing issue: the recent arrest of journalist Juan Luis Font in Guatemala and the implications for press freedom in the region. can you start by summarizing the primary concerns surrounding this incident?
Journalist Freedom Expert (JFE): Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The arrest of Juan Luis Font, one of the founders of the media outlet Con Criterio, raises meaningful alarms about the state of press freedom in Guatemala. His arrest, issued under dubious circumstances by the Ministry of Public Affairs, is viewed as a targeted act of persecution—one that many believe stems from his critical reporting on corruption and abuse of power. This is not just an isolated incident; rather, it fits a troubling pattern of judicial harassment against journalists in the country that has been ongoing as 2021.
TNE: It seems that Con Criterio has openly declared Font as a persecuted journalist. What specific actions have been taken by the media outlet in response to this arrest?
JFE: Con Criterio has been very vocal in demanding accountability from the government of bernardo Arévalo de León and the judicial authorities in Guatemala. They have issued statements calling for the protection of press freedoms and denouncing the judicial harassment targeted at Font. The media outlet describes the arrest warrant as just the latest act in a series of attacks against Font, which began escalating especially after the office of the special Prosecutor against Impunity initiated investigations based on dubious accusations from former officials.
TNE: That’s deeply concerning. You mentioned a historical context for this kind of media repression. Can you elaborate on the patterns of press freedom violations in Guatemala?
JFE: Certainly. Since 2021, we have witnessed a stark increase in attempts to silence dissenting voices, particularly journalists who expose corruption.This trend has often involved the manipulation of legal frameworks to intimidate critical journalists. The case of Juan Luis Font exemplifies this pattern—despite multiple investigations, no solid evidence has been presented against him. Rather, it appears that the judicial system is being used as a tool for censorship rather than as a mechanism for justice.
TNE: The international community often plays a role in advocating for press freedoms. How do you think outside pressure might affect the situation in Guatemala?
JFE: International awareness and condemnation can be powerful tools in these situations. When organizations, foreign governments, and human rights advocates shine a light on cases like Font’s, it increases pressure on the Guatemalan government to uphold its commitments to freedom of expression. There have been instances where public outcry has led to the eventual release of unjustly imprisoned journalists or a softening of aggressive legal measures. It’s essential that the international community remains engaged and vocal about these issues.
TNE: Considering these events, what can be done to support journalists working in repressive environments like guatemala?
JFE: First and foremost, supporting independent media organizations financially and strategically is crucial. In addition,providing training and resources for journalists on legal rights and safety protocols can empower them to navigate these challenges more effectively. Advocacy groups can also help facilitate dialogues with governmental bodies to push for reforms that protect press freedoms. Ultimately, robust international solidarity is necessary to ensure that journalists can practice their craft without fear.
TNE: Thank you for your insights. As this situation unfolds, we will continue to monitor the implications for press freedom in Guatemala.
JFE: Thank you for bringing attention to this vital issue. It’s imperative that we stand with journalists like Juan Luis font in their fight for transparency and justice.