His work focuses on the intersection of technology, education, and freedom of expression, with a particular emphasis on disinformation, online extremism, hate speech, and influence operations.
Based in Berlin, he collaborates with the Holistic Protection Collective (HPC), Confirmado, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), and the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) among other human rights organizations. Through these partnerships, he designs protection protocols, conducts risk assessments, and delivers security and resilience training for journalists facing digital and physical threats.
He is the founder of Confirmado, a Guatemalan initiative launched in 2018 to counter disinformation, and has led and built multiple digital newsrooms throughout his career. His investigative and research work has received international recognition and awards for its impact on exposing coordinated manipulation, troll factories, and information warfare.
In parallel with his investigative work, he has served for many years as a university professor at leading Guatemalan institutions, training journalists and communicators in digital investigation, verification, and media ethics. He has been a fellow in Japan, the United States, the Netherlands, and Germany.
Data-investigative journalist, OSINT researcher, and digital security trainer specializing in digital threats, hostile environments, and the societal impact of technology.
Currently, he contributes opinion and analysis to Diario de Centroamérica (DCA) and his newsletter Vector Crítico, focusing on media freedom, information integrity, and the role of the internet in democratic societies.
Before entering journalism, he worked in the fire service, specializing in emergency management, public safety, and arson investigations. Experience that continues to shape his approach to risk, crisis response, and investigative methodology.
Achievements
Launch the first collaborative fact-checking project in Guatemala. (2019)
Publish the first investigation on Influence Operations in Guatemala. (2018)
Design and launch an online news website. (2015)
Launched the first Social Media Strategy for a newspaper in Guatemala. (2008)
Design digital journalism related courses for two universities. (2009)
Design and implementation of the first Emergency Coodination Center in the country. (2002)
Reengineering of the Fire Fighting School for the Municipal Fire Department of Guatemala. (2000)
Recognition
Award: ESET Digital Security Journalism Award 2025
Residency: Digital Investigations (2024)
In Tactical Tech, November 2024, Germany.
Fellowship: Digital Security (2021)
In RSF, May to Aug 2021, Germany.
Fellowship: Producing Media to counter radicalization (2020)
In RNTC, Jan to Feb 2020, Netherlands.
Award: Journalism of the month IJNet (2019)
Award: ESET Digital Security Journalism Award 2018
Fellowship: Digital Path to Entreprenourship and Innovation in Latin America (2015)
In several newsrooms, May to June 2015, USA.
Fellowship: Multimedia Journalism (2010)
In Deutsche Welle Akademie, June 2010, Germany.
Fellowship: Fire and Disaster Management (2001)
In JICA/FDMA, 2001, Japan.
Education
Postgraduate in Public Safety (2013)
Postgraduate in Criminology and Forensic Sciences (2012)
Bachelor of Arts: Education (2011)
Bachelor of Arts: Journalism (2009)