Guatemala: anti-corruption lawyer Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa shot dead
The former tax chief and prosecutor, 43, was killed with a judo federation member at a Guatemala City sports field. Two detained brothers were freed for lack of evidence and the interior minister says 'heads will roll' if police erred.
At a glance
- Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa, 43, a former prosecutor and ex-head of Guatemala's tax agency (SAT), was shot dead at the Campo Marte sports complex in Guatemala City on Saturday, October 17.
- Gustavo Adolfo Aguilar Gamarro, a member of the judo federation, was also killed and three people were wounded.
- Two brothers arrested soon after were released when prosecutors said there was not enough evidence; two police officers have been suspended.
- President Bernardo Arévalo called it a cowardly murder; Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda said the case has 'more doubts than certainties'.
One of Guatemala's best-known anti-corruption voices has been shot dead. Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa, 43, a former prosecutor and former head of the national tax agency, was killed by gunmen at the Campo Marte sports complex in Guatemala City on Saturday, October 17, while playing football with friends.
What happened
| Date and time | Saturday, October 17, 2026, early afternoon |
| Place | Campo Marte sports complex, Zone 5, Guatemala City |
| Killed | Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa, 43; Gustavo Adolfo Aguilar Gamarro, 53, a member of the judo federation |
| Wounded | Three people |
| Arrests | Two brothers detained soon after, later released for lack of evidence |
Solórzano Foppa had played at the complex most weekends for about 15 years. Armed men attacked the pitch while he was playing; the motive has not been made public.
Who he was
- A lawyer and notary with more than 15 years in public service.
- At the Public Ministry he founded and led the Criminal Analysis Directorate and later headed criminal investigations.
- He became the youngest-ever superintendent of the tax agency (SAT).
- He also served for more than 13 years with Guatemala City's volunteer fire service.
- In private practice he took on high-profile cases, including representing former Attorney General Thelma Aldana, and publicly accused powerful figures of links to gangs and corruption.
A troubled investigation
The case has quickly become controversial. Brothers Rigoberto and Daniel Zaqueo Choc Toz, detained 15–20 minutes after the shooting, said police planted a gun on them. Prosecutors asked for the case against them to be dropped for lack of evidence, and a judge ordered their release. Their lawyer said their phones were destroyed and no official ballistic tests were done.
Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda admitted the investigation has "more doubts than certainties". Two officers involved in the arrests have been removed from duty pending an internal inquiry, and the national torture-prevention office is pursuing action against them. "Heads will roll" if police misconduct is proven, Villeda said, adding: "I will not cover up for anyone."
The minister also said Solórzano Foppa's police protection had recently been doubled from two to four agents, but declined to say whether it failed. Investigators are reviewing video footage, witness statements and ballistic evidence, and prosecutors say international experts are helping.
Reactions
President Bernardo Arévalo condemned the "cowardly murder" and said those who carried it out and those who ordered it must face the full weight of the law. Human rights groups, universities and unions across Central America demanded justice. His family called for an exhaustive, objective and transparent investigation, saying they had believed political violence in Guatemala was over.
Why it matters
Guatemala has a long history of violence against judges, prosecutors and journalists who take on corruption and organised crime, and many anti-graft figures have been jailed or forced into exile in recent years. Arévalo was elected on a promise to fight corruption, so the killing — and whether those behind it are found — is a major test for his government and for the credibility of the national police, which has about 43,000 officers.
What happens next
The case file is sealed while prosecutors pursue both the gunmen and whoever ordered the attack. Results of the internal police inquiry and ballistic tests are expected to decide whether officers face dismissal or charges.
Questions people are asking
Who was Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa?
A Guatemalan lawyer and former prosecutor who led criminal analysis and investigation units at the Public Ministry and became the youngest head of the tax agency, SAT. He was an outspoken critic of corruption among powerful politicians and business leaders.
Has anyone been arrested for the killing?
Two brothers were detained shortly after the attack but a judge released them after prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence. Investigators are reviewing video, testimony and ballistic evidence, and two police officers involved in the arrests have been suspended.
What did President Arévalo say?
He condemned the killing as a cowardly murder, ordered government agencies to support the investigation and said both the gunmen and whoever ordered the crime must face the full weight of the law.
