The Guatemalan anti-corruption prosecutor, Virginia Laparra, who was forced into exile after being pursued by the conservative elite of her country, described exile as a fate “a little bit less than death”. In her story, shared during an interview after receiving an award for human rights defenders, Laparra detailed her ordeal, including two years in prison for allegedly abusing her position by reporting a judge’s leak of sensitive information from a sealed corruption case in 2017. Despite facing severe repercussions, including being jailed for another charge and going into exile leaving her family behind, Laparra emphasizes the importance of exile as a means to preserve her life and freedom. Her situation reflects a broader pattern of persecution of anti-corruption figures in Guatemala, with organizations like Amnesty International expressing deep concern over the systematic criminalization of those fighting impunity and corruption in the country. Laparra’s story highlights the personal and professional sacrifices made by individuals standing against corruption and the systemic challenges they face.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/05/virginia-laparra-lawyer-guatemala