One of Guatemala’s most outspoken anti-corruption lawyers has been shot and killed in broad daylight, raising fresh concerns about organized crime, political corruption and the safety of those challenging powerful interests in the country.

Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa, a 43-year-old former prosecutor and government official, was assassinated on Saturday, October 17, at the Campo Marte sports complex in Guatemala City.

According to authorities, armed attackers opened fire at the sports facility, killing Solórzano Foppa and another man.

Police arrested two suspects shortly after the shooting and recovered a firearm and motorcycle believed to be connected to the attack.

Who Was Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa?

Solórzano Foppa was no ordinary lawyer.

He built a reputation for confronting corruption within Guatemala’s political and business establishment.

He previously served as director of criminal investigations within the Public Prosecutor’s Office and later headed Guatemala’s tax authority, known as SAT, from 2016 to 2018.

During his time in government, he helped pursue major tax evasion cases involving influential business figures and played a role in investigations connected to some of Guatemala’s biggest corruption scandals.

He also briefly joined the legal defence team of journalist José Rubén Zamora, whose imprisonment attracted international attention over concerns about press freedom and judicial independence.

Guatemala’s President Condemns the Killing

President Bernardo Arévalo strongly condemned the assassination and promised that authorities would pursue not only those responsible for carrying out the shooting but also anyone who may have ordered it.

The president described the killing as an attack that would not intimidate Guatemala’s government or its people.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether additional individuals were involved.

A Country Still Fighting Corruption

The assassination comes as Guatemala continues to confront longstanding concerns about corruption, organized crime and political influence over its justice system.

In recent years, prosecutors, journalists and anti-corruption advocates have faced criminal proceedings, intimidation and exile.

Solórzano Foppa himself had publicly raised allegations about connections between criminal organizations and political figures.

However, investigators have not established a motive for his killing, and authorities have not confirmed whether his anti-corruption work was connected to the attack.

His death raises another difficult question for Guatemala: How safe are the people willing to challenge corruption and powerful interests?

For now, the country awaits answers as investigators work to determine who was behind the assassination.