ElPeriódico, a 27-year-old news outlet known for its investigations into Government corruption, is ceasing operations Monday amid what it described as a campaign of government persecution. The outlet laid off 80% of its staff and stopped its print edition in November but continued to publish as a digital outlet for the past several months. The shuttering of elPeriódico is the latest in a sweeping crackdown on journalists, human rights activists, opposition leaders and other critical voices in Guatemala. ElPeriódico was founded by José Rubén Zamora - who is now on trial for money laundering and other charges after he was arrested last July. Zamora has denied the charges, which he and press freedom experts have said are retaliation for his outlet's critical coverage of the government. The prosecutor's office refutes those accusations. Zamora's defense has said he received a $38,000 donation to keep the paper afloat and asked a friend to deposit it because

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