Authorities in Panama arrested former Vice President José Gabriel Carrizo on January 27, 2026. Police detained him at Tocumen International Airport shortly after he returned from Guatemala. The arrest followed an order from the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.
The Arrest Unfolds
Prosecutors issued the warrant on the same day. Carrizo arrived on a flight from Guatemala. He had skipped a planned swearing-in ceremony for a seat in the Central American Parliament (Parlacen).
That position would have granted him legal immunity. Instead, he chose to return to Panama. Television footage showed police officers escorting him in handcuffs. They placed him in a vehicle and drove him away for processing.
Investigation Details Emerge
The case centered on suspicions of illicit self-enrichment. Prosecutors identified assets worth $1.3 million in Carrizo’s accounts. The probe linked back to earlier actions in November 2025. At that time, the Comptroller General’s Office seized his bank accounts and properties for the same amount.
The Public Ministry requested the arrest based on a criminal notice and a resolution dated January 23, 2026. Officials charged him with crimes against public administration.
Carrizo Responds to Charges
Carrizo maintained his innocence throughout the process. He told reporters, “I chose to come to Panama with my head held high because I am innocent. This is a political persecution.” He explained that he learned of the warrant through media reports.
Additionally, he decided to face the allegations directly. In earlier statements from November 2025, he declared, “If necessary, I will face all legal proceedings that may be brought against me, because my honor, my family, and my name are at stake. No one is, nor should be, above the law.”
Broader Context in Panama
Panama faced several corruption scandals in recent years. These issues sparked widespread anti-government protests. For example, two former presidents dealt with charges in the Odebrecht case. That scandal involved bribes for public contracts.
Meanwhile the current investigation into Carrizo highlighted ongoing efforts to address graft among high officials. Carrizo served as vice president from 2019 to 2024 under President Laurentino Cortizo. He later ran unsuccessfully for president in the 2024 elections as the PRD candidate.
The arrest marked a significant development in Panama’s fight against corruption. Prosecutors continued their work on the case following Carrizo’s detention.
