Guatemala arrests lawmaker in 2015 killing of 2 journalists

GUATEMALA CITY – Authorities in Guatemala have arrested a ruling-party lawmaker accused of orchestrating the murder of two journalists in 2015.

Public Ministry spokeswoman Yecenia Enriquez says Julio Antonio Juarez Ramirez was detained Saturday morning at his home in the southwestern department of Suchitepequez on a warrant sought by prosecutors and a U.N. anti-corruption commission.

Juarez is suspected of murder, attempted murder and criminal association for allegedly hiring hit men to kill journalist Danilo Efrain Lopez, fearing that his coverage would hurt Juarez's electoral campaign.

A second journalist also died, Federico Benjamin Salazar, and Marvin Tunchez Ayala was wounded.

Juarez has said he is innocent.

Last month the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Juarez due to the case, freezing any assets he has in the United States.