The drift to authoritarianism accelerates in Central America

For more than 30 years José Rubén Zamora’s newspaper has crusaded against corruption in Guatemala, making many enemies along the way. On July 29th police raided Mr Zamora’s home and arrested him. This week he appeared in court on charges including money laundering and blackmail. According to Rafael Curruchiche, the anti-corruption prosecutor, the publisher was not arrested for his journalism but for his “business activity”, for allegedly trying to swap some $40,000 in cash for a cheque from a former banker accused of corruption who is now collaborating with the authorities. Mr Zamora says he is a victim of “political persecution”. Many Guatemalans believe him. His arrest is another milestone in the country’s seeming return to authoritarian rule.