CPJ alarmed by abduction of journalist in Guatemala

We issued the following statement today in response to Thursday's abduction and subsequent release of Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora, a 1995 recipient of CPJ's International Press Freedom Award:

"We are alarmed by the kidnapping and reported beating of José Rubén Zamora, president of the Guatemalan daily El Periodico. Zamora has previously been the victim of attacks in retaliation for his paper's investigative work," said CPJ's Americas Senior Program Coordinator, Carlos Lauría. "Authorities should conduct a prompt and exhaustive investigation into this crime, and provide Zamora and El Periodico's staff with the necessary protection to continue working without fear of reprisal."