Daughter of Slain Guatemalan Journalist Shot Dead

Lindaura Aceituno, daughter of Alvaro Alfredo Aceituno Lopez killed on June 25, was shot dead by unknown attackers Tuesday in the south-eastern city of Coatepeque, Guatemala.

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Lindaura Aceituno, 36, was in her car with her daughter when they were shot at by attackers on a motorbike. Aceituno was shot several times and died after being taken to hospital. Her daughter was reported to be in a stable condition after also being hit by bullets.

Her father, Alvaro Alfredo Aceituno Lopez, 65, was shot several times at close range while walking near his house. He died from his injuries after being taken to hospital.

His family and co-workers said that they were not aware that he had received any threats on his life. He had worked as a journalist for more than 30 years and  was the director of radio station Radio Illusion where he presented his own program called  “Acontecer Coatepecano,” where he often criticized local officials.  

Shortly after his death, director-general of UNESCO, Iriana Bokova, condemed the death saying, “Violent crimes must not be allowed to limit media workers’ freedom to carry out their work, which is important for society as a whole.”

The motive for Lindaura Aceituno's death was not known and police did not say if the two killings in the same family were related to one another. The International Press Institute, IPI, was concerned that her death may have been related to the her father's work.

The IPI called on authorities to thoroughly investigate the killings and bring the attackers to justice.

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“Guatemala continues to be one of the most dangerous countries in Latin America for journalists to carry out their profession … According to IPI’s Death Watch, at least 13 journalists have been killed in relation to their work in the country in the past 10 years,” said Steven M. Ellis from the IPI.

A March report from the Office of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights said that Latin America is one of the world's most dangerous regions for journalists. It tallied that at least 27 journalists were killed in connection to their profession from 2015.