The International Press Institute (IPI) today condemned yesterday’s murder of Guatemalan radio journalist Jesús Lima, the third journalist killed in the country since the beginning of 2013.

Lima, a 68-year old veteran broadcast journalist, was pronounced dead at the scene after unknown assailants shot him twice in Zacapa City, eastern province of Zacapa, on Aug. 6. According to reports, the killing occurred as Lima exited his vehicle after parking it outside Sultana Radio, the station where he hosted a music and information program.

“We offer our condolences to the friends and family of Jesus Lima,” IPI Director of Communications & Public Relations Anthony Mills said. “Violence against journalists is never acceptable. IPI is deeply concerned; this is the third reported killing of a journalist in Guatemala thus far this year. We call on local authorities to carry out a thorough and open-minded investigation to determine whether or not Jesús Lima was killed because of his journalistic work.”

Other 2013 journalist killings in the country have occurred under similar circumstances. According to Guatemalan Information Centre (CERIGUA) reports, Luis Alberto Lemus Ruano, manager of Radio Stereo Café, was shot dead by an unidentified gunman in the province of Jutiapa on April 7. Ruano was also anchor of La Mochila, a news program aired at the local television station Café TV. Additionally, Ruano had been serving as vice-president of the Jutiapa Journalists Association (APJ) since November of 2012.

In a separate incident, Jaime Jarquín, a reporter at Nuestro Diario, a newspaper noted for its coverage of violence, was murdered in Ciudad Pedro de Alvaro, municipality of Moyuta, on March 22. Jarquín, who had also been affiliated with the Association of Guatemalan Journalists (APG, according to its Spanish Acronym), was chatting with friends in a small store when unidentified individuals fired multiple rounds at the group, killing the journalist and injuring others.