Miami (September 21, 2026) – The Inter American Press Association (IAPA), together with 33 other organizations defending freedom of expression and press freedom, has signed a joint statement urging Peru’s judiciary to dismiss the criminal complaint filed on August 17, 2026, by the Asociación Civil San Juan Bautista (ACSJB) against investigative journalist Paola Ugaz for alleged continued aggravated defamation.
The complaint, concerning articles and interviews published over several years about the Sodalitium of Christian Life, seeks a one-year prison sentence, a fine equivalent to 120 daily fine units, and an order requiring Ugaz to issue a correction and publish portions of any eventual final judgment. It is the latest episode in a continuing pattern of judicial harassment against the journalist, who between 2018 and 2026 has faced at least five defamation lawsuits, threats, and other criminal accusations related to her investigations into corruption and abuses within the organization.
The organizations express deep concern over the repeated use of criminal proceedings against Ugaz in connection with her journalistic work and warn that using criminal law to challenge investigations into matters of public interest—particularly when prison sentences, fines, and court-ordered corrections are possible—can have a serious chilling effect on investigative journalism. They urge Peruvian authorities to ensure that judicial proceedings are not used to intimidate journalists, interfere with legitimate investigations, or undermine the protection of their sources.
Joint Statement in English and Spanish.
