03 May 2007
Mario Rolando López Sánchez
Shooting
Radio producer Mario Rolando López Sánchez was gunned down outside his home in Guatemala City.
López, producer of the political debate program “Cosas y Casos de la Vida Nacional” and various social programs on national privately-owned Radio Sonora, was shot at 7 p.m. as he was walking from his car to his home in a northern neighborhood in Guatemala City, according to local press reports. Arnulfo Agustín Guzmán, Director of Radio Sonora, told the Committee to Protect Journalists that López was shot four times in the head, back and chest.
According to his wife, Blanca Castellano, nothing was stolen from his car or wallet. López was taken to the local Hospital Roosevelt where he died moments after arrival, the Guatemalan press reported. López was one of the founders of Radio Sonora, where he had worked as a producer for 14 years, said Agustín. His program, “Cosas y Casos de la Vida Nacional,” was critical of Guatemalan politics in general, added Agustín.
According to the journalist’s colleagues and family, he had not received threats. However, Agustín told CPJ that the radio station has been repeatedly threatened over the phone. Radio Sonora’s director believes that López’ murder was not accidental as it happened on World Press Freedom Day, and on the day the country’s presidential campaign was launched. Local authorities are investigating the murder but they do not have a motive yet, said Agustín.
