Arrest Ordered for Former Panama Vice President José Gabriel Carrizo

Former Vice President José Gabriel Carrizo allegedly failed to account for up to $1.9 million located in his bank accounts. As a result, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office of the Public Ministry ordered his arrest as soon as he arrived at Tocumen International Airport upon his return from Guatemala.  You can use the search feature in Newsroom Panama to look up ‘Carrizo’ for more information. 

Comptroller’s Report Points to Unjustified Enrichment of José Gabriel Carrizo: Attorney General Gómez Confirms

According to the head of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Comptroller’s Office determined that Carrizo, during the period in which he exercised public functions, would have incurred an unjustified increase in assets.

Panama: The Attorney General of the Nation, Luis Carlos Gómez Rudy, indicated that the arrest of the former Vice President of the Republic, José Gabriel Carrizo, responds to an investigation for alleged unjustified enrichment, initiated from a report presented to the Public Ministry by the Comptroller General of the Republic.  “Remember that this is an investigation for unjust enrichment that stems from a report by the Comptroller General of the Republic, which determines that this public servant, during his term of office, would have unduly enriched himself by a sum of millions,” he said.  According to the head of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Comptroller’s Office determined that Carrizo, during the period in which he held public office, had incurred an unjustified increase in assets, also of a millionaire nature, which led to the formal opening of the criminal process.

Gaby Carrizo’s Hearing will be at 5 pm; Prosecutor Confirms there are Other Investigations

Former Vice President José Gabriel Carrizo, upon his arrival at the DIJ headquarters in Ancón. 

Martinelli: The Cortizo Brothers are Missing. Gaby is a Scapegoat.

Martinelli maintained that everything happened because he was going to win an election overwhelmingly with the support of the people.  Former President Ricardo Martinelli recorded a video from Colombia, where he remains in asylum.

Former President Ricardo Martinelli asserted that the true culprits are still missing in Panama, directly pointing to brothers Laurentino and Roy Cortizo, whom he mentioned as figures who, according to him, have not faced justice while others are being prosecuted.  Martinelli stated that many of the legal cases currently being heard do not target those who were truly in charge, but instead end up turning some people into “scapegoats,” as in the case of former Vice President José Gabriel Carrizo, while impunity remains for those who held power during the previous administration.  In his message, the former president reiterated that in his situation the law and due process were never respected, and that he was the victim of an unjust and illegal political persecution.  

He maintained that it all happened because he was going to win an election overwhelmingly with the support of the people.  According to Martinelli, a case was fabricated against him to remove him from the political path, since his return meant resolving the country’s economic situation, generating jobs, development, and money for the people.  The former president also stated that he remains in exile, far from Panama and his loved ones, and that his only wish is to spend his final years with his family. Even so, he asserted that he harbors no hatred or resentment.  “I only asked for the same thing I ask for today for Panama: law, justice and due process for all, without exception,” Martinelli concluded in his post.

Gaby was Charged, but Went Home Under House Arrest

Carrizo’s lawyers argued that Carrizo is a member of the Central American Parliament (Parlacen) by right.  Former Vice President José Gabriel “Gaby” Carrizo left the hearing under house arrest and prohibited from leaving the country, after being charged with alleged unjustified enrichment.  Judge Oris Medina legalized his arrest, while the prosecution announced it will appeal the measures.  The session began around 5:00 pm, with Carrizo arriving under heavy security from the National Police headquarters at the DIJ. 

An hour later, the judge decreed a recess of an hour and a half while she assessed how to proceed with the case, after the defense filed a warning of unconstitutionality.  The lawyers argued that Carrizo is a member of the Central American Parliament (Parlacen) by right, even though he has not been sworn in, and that this could invalidate part of the proceedings. Attorney Roberto Moreno stated that the Supreme Court is the only body that can decide on jurisdiction in the case.  For his part, Víctor Orobio, another of the defense attorneys, maintained that they will demonstrate that the alleged enrichment of 1.9 million dollars “does not exist” and that the investigation file has been presented for less than 20 days. 

Carrizo returned to the country early Tuesday “to face the music” and confront the charges, although he also intended to be sworn in as a member of the Central American Parliament (Parlacen).  The investigation began with a report from the Comptroller General, which in November 2025 ordered the seizure of assets and bank accounts worth up to $1.3 million, in a process that was initially administrative, but ended up becoming criminal.  According to the prosecution, Carrizo allegedly received $1.9 million unjustifiably, which led to the charges being filed.