Argentine associate of Peru's Fujimori increases defamation lawsuit to $1.5 million

Argentine businessman Damián Valenzuela has escalated his defamation lawsuit against the Peruvian weekly 'Hildebrandt en sus trece' to $1.5 million. Valenzuela, known for his close relationship with Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori, alleges the publication falsely accused him of business fraud.

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Valenzuela will donate entirely whatever is obtained to public hospitals in Peru.

David Torres, Valenzuela's lawyer, announced the increased demand, stating that an additional half-million dollars was sought after the weekly reaffirmed its claims. Torres asserted that Valenzuela intends to donate any awarded sum entirely to public hospitals in Peru. The lawsuit also seeks a prison sentence for the publication's director, César Hildebrandt, and reporter Eloy Marchán.

Valenzuela disputes the report's assertion that he has been "sentenced several times for fraud." He argues that the referenced cases pertain to civil processes, commercial disputes, agreements, and regulatory matters, not criminal convictions for fraud. This distinction is central to his claim of defamation.

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The intimate friend of Mrs. Fujimori warns that he can ruin us. (...) Very well, Mr. Valenzuela. Proceed with your threats. (...) Perhaps you will achieve in the Judiciary what Mr. Alberto Fujimori wanted to achieve with his macabre plans elaborated in the SIN (National Intelligence Service).

César Hildebrandt, in response to Valenzuela's threat of legal action, addressed the businessman directly on his YouTube program. Hildebrandt questioned Valenzuela's threats and alluded to attempts by former President Alberto Fujimori to control the media. "While this happens, we will continue to step on toes, visit spas, and reveal compromised relationships. Go scare whomever you can, but do it in (Javier) Milei's backyard, which is where you seem to have come from," Hildebrandt stated, referencing Valenzuela's nationality and political leanings.

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While this happens, we will continue to step on toes, visit spas, and reveal compromised relationships. Go scare whomever you can, but do it in (Javier) Milei's backyard, which is where you seem to have come from.

The latest issue of 'Hildebrandt en sus trece' features Valenzuela on its cover with the headline 'Answers to a Scammer,' reiterating the accusation and suggesting Valenzuela aims to silence the publication and potentially pay off debts to those who trusted him. Valenzuela was notably present at Fujimori's presidential inauguration events in July.

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Damián Valenzuela, the intimate friend of the powerful president, has requested one million dollars in civil damages in the lawsuit he has filed against us. With that, he intends to take us out of circulation and perhaps pay some of the money he maliciously still owes to those who trusted him.