Event Summary
On 6 November 2025, the Metropolitan Prosecutor’s Office, Crimes Against Liberty, Honor, the Administration of Justice, and the Internal Personality of the State Section, issued Special Protection Measure No. 05, prohibiting Sabrina Bacal and two journalists from approaching brothers Roberto and Ramón Carretero Napolitano.
This case set a dangerous precedent, as laws designed to protect victims of violent crimes (such as Law 38 of 2001 and Law 31 of 1998) were used to silence journalistic investigations. The decision originated from a complaint for crimes against honor (libel and slander), filed for the alleged existence of a systematic campaign of attacks and defamation on social media, mainly on TikTok, Instagram, and X.
The precautionary measure signed by the Attorney General of the Republic of Panama included:
- A restraining order prohibiting the journalists from approaching the places frequented by the complainants.
- Prohibition of harassment and verbal aggression.
- Restrictions on publications in technological or electronic media that could affect the effectiveness of the protection.
This measure was publicly denounced by Sabrina Bacal on 5 March 2026, after requesting a control hearing for infringement of fundamental rights.
On 6 March 2026, Judge América Vergara revoked the protection order. The judge based her decision on the grounds that the order was unconstitutional and constituted a form of prior censorship, thus restoring the right of the journalist and media outlets such as Digital Praxis, Armando Info, and Focopanama to report on the activities of businessmen who have been linked to high-profile cases and international sanctions.
- Orden de alejamiento de los lugares frecuentados por los querellantes.
- Prohibición de hostigamiento y agresiones verbales.
- Restricciones sobre publicaciones en medios tecnológicos o electrónicos que pudieran afectar la efectividad de la protección