Former Vice President ‘Gaby’ Carrizo to face charging hearing next week over alleged illicit enrichment

José “Gaby” Carrizo, Panama’s former vice president and a former presidential candidate, is scheduled to appear on Sept. 7 for a hearing that could determine whether he faces trial over alleged unjustified enrichment of $1.9 million.

The hearing follows the end of the regular investigative period. The Superior Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office had sought more time, but the court rejected a request to classify the case as complex. Prosecutors must now submit an indictment setting out the alleged facts, their legal classification and the evidence supporting the charges.

Carrizo faces accusations of aggravated unjustified enrichment, classified as an offense against public administration. He has been under house arrest since Jan. 28, following his arrest at Tocumen International Airport after returning from Guatemala.

The investigation began with a report from Panama’s Comptroller General concerning alleged irregularities in Carrizo’s assets and a purported unexplained increase between 2019 and 2024. In the initial administrative proceedings, Comptroller Anel “Bolo” Flores ordered the seizure of Carrizo’s assets and bank accounts up to $1.3 million in November 2025.

Carrizo’s defense has repeatedly asked courts to replace house arrest with a less restrictive precautionary measure. It has pursued reviews and appeals before the Superior Court, but those efforts have not succeeded. The upcoming hearing will determine whether the case proceeds to trial.