On 23 March 2026, journalist José Del Águila, director of the news outlet Camotillo Press, received death threats from a criminal organisation identifying themselves as “Los Mexicanos NG,” after announcing on his platform that he would release a compromising video involving the director of the Binational Special Project Puyango Tumbes (PEBPT) and the wife of an alleged criminal leader. The threats demanded that the journalist refrain from publishing “content that does not concern him,” warning that otherwise he and his home would be subjected to a firearms attack.
Despite the threats, Del Águila released the video, as did Carmen Sotero Nole, director of the outlet Más Propuestas. On 24 March, the director of PEBPT sent notarised letters to both journalists, describing the video as “false” and claiming that it had been created using artificial intelligence. The letters demanded the immediate removal of the material, a public retraction, and the “absolute abstention” from mentioning the matter again. Additionally, the director of PEBPT threatened to initiate aggravated defamation lawsuits and civil claims for damages if his demands were not met within 24 hours. Due to the legal threats, both outlets removed the video, but Más Propuestas maintained that the material was authentic and Camotillo Press said that it was not issuing a retraction.
The National Association of Journalists of Peru (ANP) has covered the case and expressed concern over the threats and the pressure faced by the journalists.