Former Panama Vice-President José Gabriel Carrizo is currently serving a six-month house arrest order following charges of unjustified enrichment.
Current Legal Status.
- Arrest and Return: Gaby Carrizo pictured above was detained on January 27, 2026, at Tocumen International Airport upon returning from Guatemala. Prosecutors had issued a warrant after finding up to $1.9 million in unexplained assets.
- House Arrest: A guarantees judge ordered a six-month house arrest and a travel ban on January 28, 2026, while rejecting the prosecution’s request for pre-trial detention. Both sides appealed the decision.
- Defense Position: Carrizo denies all wrongdoing, claims innocence, and calls the case political persecution. He asserts he returned voluntarily to face the legal process.
Background.
- Office: Gaby served as the Vice President of Panama from 2019 to 2024 under former President Laurentino Cortizo.
- Elections: Gaby Carrizo pictured below under arrest by the DIJ, ran as a presidential candidate in the 2024 general election but lost.
A judge called a hearing this Friday to review a request for a change of precautionary measure presented in favor of José Gabriel “Gaby” Carrizo, currently charged with the alleged crime of unjustified enrichment. At the hearing that began at 10:00 am, Carrizo was represented by lawyer Víctor Orobio pictured below, while the Public Ministry was represented by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.
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