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September 04, 2024 – Guatemala –
On the night of September 2, 2024, the home of veteran journalist Carlos Monroy, a correspondent for Nuestro Diario in Zacapa province, was struck by multiple bullets in what press freedom groups characterized as a clear act of intimidation tied to his reporting work. Miraculously, neither he nor his family was injured during the attack.
Monroy specializes in covering crime and public security—a beat fraught with high risk in regions like Zacapa, where powerful local figures and criminal groups operate with impunity. The Association of Journalists of Guatemala (APG) and the Guatemalan Journalists’ Network (RedPG) swiftly condemned the shooting, pointing to nearby residents’ allegations that Monroy’s articles had provoked the attack.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) echoed this condemnation, emphasizing the climate of escalating threats and violence confronting Guatemalan journalists. They urged Guatemalan authorities to conduct a full, impartial investigation, identify both the mastermind and the assailants, and enhance protections for members of the media.
This incident arrives amid a broader, worrying pattern of harassment against journalists in Guatemala. The country is ranked poorly in the Reporters Without Borders 2024 Press Freedom Index, reflecting frequent attacks, legal persecution, and a chilling effect on investigative reporting, especially in violent regions where organized crime intersects with corruption.
Despite the attack, Monroy has vowed not to be silenced. His resolve reflects a commitment shared by many journalists in Guatemala who continue to report under threat, even as perpetrators remain largely unpunished.
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