In the Case of Former Vice President Carrizo, the Court Dismisses his Invalid Parlacen Immunity
The Supreme Court of Justice gave the green light for the Public Prosecutor’s Office to continue the investigation of former Vice President Gabriel Carrizo pictured beloe, for the crime of unjust enrichment.
Former Vice President José Gabriel Carrizo (2019-2024) suffered a legal setback. The Supreme Court of Justice ruled that his claim to be a member of the Central American Parliament (Parlacen) was invalid. Consequently, the Court rejected his lawsuit seeking to have the court proceed with the case against him for unjust enrichment. The Court’s decision was communicated through edict No. 484 posted in the Court Secretariat on April 1st and bearing the signature of Magistrate Carlos Alberto Reyes, who acted as rapporteur.
José Gabriel Carrizo (often called “Gaby”) is the former Vice President of Panama, serving from July 1, 2019, to July 1, 2024, alongside President Laurentino Cortizo. He is a member of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD). In January 2026, he was arrested upon returning from Guatemala on allegations of illicit self-enrichment.
Key details regarding Carrizo, as of April 2026:
- Failed Presidential Bid: Following his tenure as VP, Carrizo ran for the presidency in the 2024 general election but was not successful.
- Arrest and Allegations: On January 27, 2026, he was detained at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City upon returning from Guatemala. Prosecutors accused him of illicit self-enrichment, with reports indicating unexplained assets totaling approximately 1
million dollars.
- Legal Defense: Carrizo has maintained his innocence, claiming the accusations are politically motivated. His defense team has argued against the audit’s findings.
- Parlacen Involvement: He was arrested after skipping a ceremony to join the Central American Parliament (Parlacen), which would have provided him with legal immunity.
His tenure as Vice President was defined by his role in the PRD administration before the 2024 transition to the current government led by President José Raúl Mulino.
