Former Panama Vice-President Gaby Carrizo will Remain Under House Arrest Despite his Lawyers Request for a Less Severe Precautionary Measure.
The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office charged Carrizo pictured below in handcuffs, with the alleged crime of unjustified enrichment and sentenced him to house arrest for the time being. Carrizo’s lawyer, Victor Orobio, withdrew his request, annoyed that the judge only granted him 10 minutes to explain why he should favor the former vice president with a less severe precautionary measure than the current one.
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.
