Zamora sentenced to six years
June 15, 2023
A Guatemalan court sentenced journalist José Rubén Zamora to six years in prison for money laundering. The case has been widely denounced as political persecution against a critical voice — Zamora’s elPeriódico newspaper, now shut-down, published dozens of corruption investigations that implicated members of the country’s political establishment, including links to President Alejandro Giammattei. (El Faro)
The court absolved Zamora of blackmail and peddling influence charges, but the three judge panel ruled that there was “no doubt” the outspoken critic of government corruption masterminded the laundering of almost $40,000 last year.
Zamora, who was detained nearly a year ago, said he is innocent and will appeal the ruling. He spends 23 hours a day in solitary confinement in the Mariscal prison, reports the Guardian.
The case has been plagued with irregularities. The case developed rapidly and involved 11 hearings in which the defendant's evidence was not admitted.Zamora was forced to change lawyers nine times, in response to public ministry persecution against his representatives. Some of his lawyers were jailed over the course of the trial, while others were intimidated and harassed. Journalists and columnists from elPeriódico who covered the case are also under criminal investigation. (El Faro, Al Jazeera, Reuters)
“All my rights have been violated … the evidence that would prove my innocence was rejected and my lawyers jailed, denying my right to a defense,” said Zamora in his final comments before sentencing, vowing to take the case to the Inter American Court of Human Rights.
The verdict poses a threat to independent journalism and freedom of expression, Brian Nichols, assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, said on Twitter. "The world will be watching that his personal safety and health will be protected," Nichols said.
The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the proceedings against Zamora, saying they “serve as a stark testament to the erosion of freedom of speech in the country and the desperate attempts of President Alejandro Giammattei’s government to criminalize journalism.”
Guatemala’s justice system has systematically persecuted anti-corruption actors, and the Giammattei administration has been criticized for democratic backsliding. (Associated Press)
Haiti’s “Kingston Talks” end without accord
Three days of high-level talks between interim Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry and a cross-section of about 50 Haitian political and civic leaders ended in Jamaica this week without a resolution to their country’s multifaceted crisis. The parties agreed to continue discussions in Port-au-Prince, reports the Miami Herald.
The CARICOM-mediated “Kingston Talks”, aided by Canada and the United States, took place for three days this week, and sought to reach a “Haitian-led” solution to the country’s ongoing humanitarian, political, and security emergency. The negotiations were facilitated by three former Caribbean prime ministers — Perry Christie of The Bahamas, Bruce Golding of Jamaica and Kenny Anthony of St. Lucia. They will travel to Haiti for future talks.
“The unresolved core issue in closed-door discussions, which at times became heated, remained: How, in the absence of a president or a parliament, should Haiti be governed?” writes Jacqueline Charles in the Miami Herald.
“There appear to be disparate goals from the various actors in Kingston, including from the international community”, according to CEPR. “Whereas Haiti’s main political parties and civil society actors have stated their desire for a broader political accord, Henry and some international officials appear to be more focused on building support for Henry and for a subsequent international security intervention.”
(See yesterday’s Just Caribbean Updates.)
Colombia
Armed groups are obstructing humanitarian organizations' access to several parts of Colombia, possibly to suppress reports of human rights violations that could disrupt peace negotiations with the government, reports InSight Crime. Security incidents involving humanitarian workers between January and April 2023 increased by 133% compared to last year.
Caribbean
Climate change poses a significant threat to the Caribbean's livestock sector, exacerbating the vulnerability of already fragile agricultural systems and undermining the region's food security. Climate Tracker emphasizes the urgent need for adaptive measures to protect this vital sector, with country-specific articles. (See yesterday’s Just Caribbean Updates.)
Migration
There are 160 refugees and asylum-seekers from over 15 countries under the UNHCR’s mandate in Cuba, el Toque explores the little known issue of migrants in Cuba, mainly from Western Sahara, Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan, and Yemen. (See yesterday’s Just Caribbean Updates.)
Brazil
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the country's economy will grow at least 2% this year, "maybe even more.” He celebrated that Brazil is regaining international credibility, a day after S&P revised its outlook for the country to "positive" from "stable.” (Reuters)
Regional
A year and a half after Venezuela’s government launched operations against the “Tancol” (Terroristas Armados Narcotraficantes de Colombia) “there is still no evidence the criminal network exists outside of the imagination of the Venezuelan state,” according to InSight Crime.
Regional Relations
Chile and the European Union will sign a memorandum of understanding soon to develop value-added lithium projects in Chile, said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission. (Reuters)
Uruguay
After a surprise meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, Uruguayan President Lacalle Pou’s trade push got a boost. It “could be a watershed moment for Uruguay—a sign that U.S. indifference toward the notion of new trade deals might be giving way to renewed interest, and that Lacalle Pou’s gamble on pursuing bilateral trade deals outside the Mercosur bloc might be paying off,” reports Americas Quarterly.