Guatemala City — Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa, a prominent Guatemalan attorney and former anti-corruption prosecutor, was shot and killed on Saturday morning by gunmen inside the Campo Marte sports complex in Zone 5 of the capital. The attack also claimed the life of Gustavo Adolfo Aguilar Gamarro, an administrative employee and former judoka with the National Judo Federation of Guatemala, who was playing soccer with friends at the venue when the shooting occurred.
The Attack at Campo Marte
The shooting unfolded on Saturday morning as Solórzano Foppa and Aguilar Gamarro were gathered at the Campo Marte sports facility in Guatemala City. Police reported the capture of two people after the armed attack occurred in the interior of the Campo Marte in Zone 5.
Investigations and Public Service Record
Solórzano Foppa built a prominent career in public service and anti-corruption advocacy. He served as the director of Criminal Analysis for the Public Ministry from 2013 to 2016 and subsequently headed the Superintendency of Administration Tributaria between 2016 and 2018. During his tenure, he gained international recognition for leading high-impact investigations, including the historic “La Línea” corruption probe that derrocó al presidente Otto Pérez Molina in 2015. More recently, Solórzano Foppa acted as the legal defense counsel for imprisoned journalist José Rubén Zamora.
Tributes from the National Judo Federation
The National Judo Federation of Guatemala issued a statement on Saturday expressing deep sorrow over the death of Aguilar Gamarro. The federation noted that Aguilar worked as an administrative assistant for public information within the sports entity and remembered him as a judoka, a lover of sport, and a supportive presence within the sporting community. Federation leaders extended condolences to his wife, children, family members, and colleagues, highlighting his lifelong dedication to sport.
Government Condemnation and Search for Justice
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo addressed the nation in a broadcast condemning the killings, calling the perpetrators “cowardly assassins” who targeted Solórzano Foppa and Aguilar Gamarro while they were at Campo Marte. Arévalo emphasized that neither man deserved such a fate and urged society not to let fear cause division. The president vowed that authorities would track down both the material and intellectual authors of the crime to ensure accountability under the law.
Unresolved Questions Surrounding the Shooting
As state investigators continue to process evidence from the Campo Marte complex, several critical details remain unconfirmed. Law enforcement agencies have not yet clarified the specific motive behind the attack or detailed the roles of the two suspects currently in custody.
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